Police evacuate London Bridge station over ‘suspicious item on board train’
- Police evacuated London Bridge station following reports of a suspicious item
- Crowds gathered outside station with ‘multiple helicopters’ seen hovering
- Train operators Southern and Southeastern said trains will not stop at station
Police evacuated London Bridge station today following reports of a suspicious item on board a train.
Crowds gathered outside the station with ‘multiple helicopters’ reportedly seen hovering over the transport hub.
British Transport Police (BTP) say they were called to the station at 12.33pm following reports of a suspicious item on board a train.
‘Officers were called to London Bridge station at 12.33pm following reports of a suspicious item on board a train,’ a BTP spokeswoman said.
‘The station has been closed as a precaution while specialist officers assess the item.
Train operators Southern and Southeastern said that trains were not stopping at the station, one of London’s busiest commuter hubs.
Police evacuated London Bridge station following reports of a suspicious item on board a train
Crowds gathered outside the station with ‘multiple helicopters’ reportedly seen hovering
A passenger told how a ‘suspicious package’ was found on a carriage next to hers
A passenger told how a ‘suspicious package’ was found on a carriage next to the one in which she was sitting.
‘Calmly minding my business when police board my train and say there’s a suspicious package in the carriage next to mine and that I have to evacuate the train,’ she tweeted.
‘Then we had to evacuate the platform. Then we had to evacuate the station.’
Eastenders actor Daniel Coonan was caught up in the commotion, tweeting: ‘Strange scenes at London. The police are everywhere evacuating the station and forcing people off the platforms.
‘Londoners typically demanding the police to tell them why they can’t get a train to where they want to get to. Multiple helicopters in the sky above.’
One Twitter user wrote: ‘Strange scenes at London. The police are everywhere evacuating the station and forcing people off the platforms.
British Transport Police (BTP) say they were called to the station at 12.33pm following reports of a suspicious item on board a train
‘Londoners typically demanding the police to tell them why they can’t get a train to where they want to get to. Multiple helicopters in the sky above.’
One person said: ‘Heads up. Don’t come to London Bridge station. It’s currently closed and been evacuated.’
Another wrote: ‘Just been evacuated from #londonbridge station. #drama.’
A Twitter user reported seeing armed police, while others spotted sniffer dogs.
Network Rail, which manages the London station, said on its Twitter account to expect disruption until at least 2pm.
Thameslink tweeted: ‘If you require to travel to or from the London Bridge area, you will need to use an alternative route. The Police have informed us that whilst they deal with an incident at London Bridge the station is closed.’
Southern Rail tweeted: ‘Trains that usually run to and from London Bridge will be diverted and use London Victoria where possible. Some trains will also be cancelled.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.