Vigilance urged after explosives found at Heathrow, London City and Waterloo
Counter terrorism police have launched an investigation after three packages containing explosives arrived at buildings at Heathrow, London City Airport and Waterloo Station today.
The packages – all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags – contained improvised explosive devices.
The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command said it is treating the incidents as linked and is keeping an open mind regarding motives. It is believed at least two of the packages had Republic of Ireland stamps on them.
The first arrived just before 10am at The Compass Centre, the offices of Heathrow Airport.
The package was opened by staff causing the device to go off, which burnt part of the package. No one was injured and the building was evacuated as a precaution.
Flights to and from Heathrow were not affected.
At around 11.40am, British Transport Police were called to reports of a suspicious package in the post room at Waterloo Station.
This time the package was not opened. Specialist officers attended and made the device safe. No one was injured.
The station was not evacuated but cordons were put in place at a small area outside the station on Cab Road. Train services are continuing to operate as normal.
Then, just after midday, police were called to a report of a suspicious package at offices at City Aviation House, Royal Docks, an administration building at London City Airport.
Staff were evacuated from the building as a precaution.
Again the package wasn’t opened and no one was injured. Specialist officers were called in and made the device safe
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.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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