Explosive packages found at Waterloo Station, Heathrow Airport and London City Airport investigated by Counter-Terror police
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Counter-terror police are investigating three packages containing explosives found at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo station.
The “small improvised explosive devices” were found in A4 postal bags, the Metropolitan Police said.
The BBC reports that the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is treating it as a “linked series” and “keeping an open mind regarding motives”.
The Guardian reports that the packages – all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags – were found to be small improvised explosive devices capable of igniting a small fire when opened, the Met said.
No-one has been hurt, the force added.
The Compass Centre in Heathrow’s grounds was evacuated after a package was reported to police at about 09:55 GMT. The package has since been “made safe”, the Met said. A Heathrow spokeswoman said the airport would assist the police investigation into the “criminal act”.
Earlier: Specialist police are investigating suspicious packages found at three major transport hubs in London.
Officers were called to Waterloo Station, Heathrow Airport and London City Airport in separate incidents within hours of each other earlier today.
Police are still assessing the situation at Waterloo and at City airport, but say a package found at Heathrow has been “made safe”.
The Independent reports that “Scotland Yard said Aviation House, which contains the airport’s headquarters, had been evacuated.” Flights were operating as normal
The Metropolitan Police tweeted “At approximately 12.10hrs today, Tuesday, 5 March, police were called to a report of a suspicious package at London City Airport Aviation House, Royal Docks, Newham. Specialist officers are at the scene. The building has been evacuated as a precaution. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Thirty minutes earlier, police were called to reports of a suspicious package at London Waterloo station.
British Transport Police said it was too early to say if the two reports were connected.
Flights in and out of the airport are not thought to have been affected.
The DLR was back up and running at about 2.15pm. (local time)
