The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command has confirmed that it has launched an investigation after three suspicious packages were received at buildings in London today, Tuesday, 5 March.
The packages – all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags – have been assessed by specialist officers to be small improvised explosive devices.
A statement released by the Met Police confirmed that the devices, at this early stage of the investigation, appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened.
The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command is treating the incidents as a linked series and is keeping an open mind regarding motives.
At approximately 09:55hrs the Met Police received a report of a suspicious package at The Compass Centre, Nelson Road, Hounslow.
The package was opened by staff at the building, causing the device to initiate. This resulted in part of the package burning.
No one was injured.
The building was evacuated as a precaution. Specialist officers attended and made the device safe. The building remains closed as enquiries continue.
The building is not based at Heathrow Airport, and flights have not been
At approximately 11.40hrs British Transport Police were called to reports of a suspicious package in the post room at Waterloo Station.
The package was not opened. Specialist officers attended and made the device safe. No one was injured.
The station was not evacuated however cordons are in place at a small area outside the station on Cab Road. Train services are continuing to operate as normal.
At approximately 12.10hrs police were called to a report of a suspicious package at offices at City Aviation House, Royal Docks, Newham.
Staff were evacuated from the building as a precaution. The package was not opened and no one was injured. Specialist officers attended and made safe the device. The building has been reopened.
As a precaution, DLR services to London City Airport were suspended but are now fully operational. Flights to and from the airport have not been affected.
The Met Police has issued advice to transport hubs across London to be vigilant for and report suspicious packages to police.
Police confirmed that no arrests have yet been made.
Got a story, video or one-off blog that you would like to share with us?
You can contact our team of former emergency services & armed forces personnel either through our Facebook page, via Twitter ( @ES_News_ ) or you can contact us via email: contact@emergency-services.news or call us on: 0115 888 0592
If you run or manage a ‘job’ social media account and you would like us to share one of your stories then send us a tweet or a message!
If you would like to write an article that you would like us to share (it can be about anything to do with the emergency services / NHS) whether you serve in the emergency services / NHS or whether you are a member of the public who has had a good experience with the emergency services, then feel free to contact our team; anonymously if you prefer.
We are proud to act as a voice for the emergency services, armed forces & health service, with over 500,000 people visiting our website each month.
Before you go...
We need your help. As former emergency services & armed forces personnel, we pride ourselves on bringing you important, fast-moving and breaking news stories which are free from the negative bias which is often directed at the emergency services by some sections of the mainstream media.
One of the reasons we started 'Emergency Services News' was because we became tired of reading badly informed stories about the emergency services which seemed only ever to highlight negative aspects of the job.
We want to be the unheard voice of the remarkable men and women who serve in the emergency services, NHS and armed forces. And with around 500k page views each month, we are getting there!
As income from ads, the mainstay source of income for most publishers, continues to decline; we need the help of our readers.
And remember, if you have a service, product or job vacancy that you would like to promote to our large readership, then you can buy advertising space in our articles.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
