London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A controlled explosion was carried out near the US Embassy in Nine Elms, London after a suspicious package was found. Authorities have surrounded the area as inquiries continue.
Metropolitan Police carried out a “controlled explosion” near the US Embassy in Nine Elms, London, after reports of a suspicious package.
According to a spokesperson for the Met, “We’re aware of speculation online about an incident in the vicinity of the US embassy in Nine Elms”.
Authorities have confirmed that investigations are continuing, and cordons will remain in the area for the foreseeable future.
“Cordons are in place in the area as a precaution while officers investigate a suspect package”.
Police and fire officers have locked down the US Embassy on Nine Elms Lane, where a robotic device was used to detonate the suspicious package.
The force also confirmed they are using sniffer dogs to conduct a sweep of the area, as concerns grow over the possibility of additional packages.
It is still unclear what was inside the first package or if it was detonated as a precautionary measure.
London’s Metropolitan Police posted on X “We can confirm that the ‘loud bang’ reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers”.
“Enquiries are still ongoing and cordons will remain in place for the time being”.
We can confirm that the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 22, 2024
Enquiries are still ongoing and cordons will remain in place for the time being.
The US embassy said on X: “Local authorities are investigating a suspicious package outside the U.S. Embassy in London. Met Police are present and have closed Ponton Road out of an abundance of caution. We will provide further updates when available”.
Local authorities are investigating a suspicious package outside the U.S. Embassy in London. Met Police are present and have closed Ponton Road out of an abundance of caution. We will provide further updates when available. Please monitor @metpoliceuk for updates.
— U.S. Embassy London (@USAinUK) November 22, 2024
Since the opening in 2018, the US EMbassy in London has occupied a vast, secure campus outside the city away from the public roads.
As reported by the CBS News, Former UK counterterrorism coordinator Nick Aldworth said on Friday that the U.S. embassy building is “one of the most secure locations in London”.
He added, “”It’s a purpose-built embassy,” he said, which gave the compound “the benefit of being constructed with built-in environmental protective measures” such as earth berms and other physical features, putting it “at the top end of design and location for protecting it from terrorism incidents”.