A major security alert brought central London to a standstill today as police evacuated London Bridge following the discovery of a suspicious package.
Armed officers and emergency services swarmed the area shortly after midday, closing both the bridge and nearby London Bridge Station in a dramatic response to what authorities described as a "potential security threat."
Chaos and Confusion During Rush Hour
Commuters and tourists faced significant disruption as police established a substantial cordon around the bridge and surrounding streets. Witnesses reported seeing multiple police vehicles and specialist units responding to the incident.
"The bridge was completely closed off within minutes," said one eyewitness. "Police were moving everyone back quickly but calmly. You could see they were treating it as extremely serious."
Transport Network Paralysed
The emergency measures caused ripple effects across London's transport network:
- London Bridge Station was partially evacuated and services suspended
- Bus routes were diverted away from the area
- Road closures created gridlock in surrounding streets
- Pedestrians were redirected via alternative river crossings
Transport for London issued urgent warnings to avoid the area as the police operation continued into the afternoon.
Metropolitan Police Statement
Scotland Yard confirmed they were responding to reports of a suspicious package and had implemented safety measures as a precaution. A spokesperson stated: "We're assessing the situation and have specialist officers on scene. Public safety is our priority."
The incident comes amid heightened security awareness in the capital, though police emphasized there was no immediate suggestion of terrorism at this stage of the investigation.
As the situation developed, businesses in the area were advised to keep staff indoors while the security operation continued. The dramatic scenes served as a stark reminder of London's ongoing vulnerability to security threats in high-profile locations.
