London street evacuated amid 'bomb threat' as cops set off controlled explosions

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Shops and offices in central London have been evacuated following reports of a bomb threat as police have carried out controlled explosions.

Staff and customers were seen lining the streets around busy Regent Street on Wednesday afternoon. Footage from the scene shows several people running away from the area.

Police officers were seen surrounding a suspicious vehicle and setting off controlled explosions as part of an investigation.

Footage shared to social media showed the area cordoned off and police restricting access and moving people towards Oxford Circus, with several emergency vehicles present.

Posts from bystanders reported a "bomb scare". One office worker told MyLondon he was informed of the threat around 1.10pm. He said: "We got reports of a bomb threat in a building behind New Burlington Place. One of the members heard an explosion and police have been evacuating the streets."

In a statement shared to social media, the Metropolitan Police said: "Road closures are in place in the vicinity of Regent Street and New Burlington Street while officers investigate a suspicious vehicle. Officers have carried out a number of controlled explosions as a precautionary measure."

A Met Police spokesperson told The Mirror: "This is all in the process of being stood down so [the] situation should return to normal as soon as possible."

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