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Bomb warning received in London | Bomb warning received in London |
(40 minutes later) | |
A bomb warning has been received relating to central London, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed. | A bomb warning has been received relating to central London, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed. |
The force said the threat did not provide specifics about location or time. | The force said the threat did not provide specifics about location or time. |
The Mall and other central London streets were closed on Monday morning although a link has not been confirmed. | The Mall and other central London streets were closed on Monday morning although a link has not been confirmed. |
The warning is thought to be related to Irish dissident republicans but the threat level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism has not been changed. | The warning is thought to be related to Irish dissident republicans but the threat level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism has not been changed. |
Threat level | |
The BBC understands the police received a coded bomb warning. | The BBC understands the police received a coded bomb warning. |
The Met Police statement said: "All officers have been advised to be highly vigilant to ensure the safety of London." | |
It told the public to continue going about their business but to be vigilant. | |
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said: "My understanding is that this may have come because of a coded warning, which is why there is more concern about it than normal. Threats come in and out all the time. | BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said: "My understanding is that this may have come because of a coded warning, which is why there is more concern about it than normal. Threats come in and out all the time. |
"But if it was a specific code word warning, that would suggest something more serious and that would be why we have had this alert." | "But if it was a specific code word warning, that would suggest something more serious and that would be why we have had this alert." |
He added it was significant that the threat level from dissident Irish terrorism had not been raised. | He added it was significant that the threat level from dissident Irish terrorism had not been raised. |
"Officials I have spoken to are trying to stress that it is not as if they have concrete intelligence of a specific attack at a particular time, or that would have gone up high in terms of the threat." | "Officials I have spoken to are trying to stress that it is not as if they have concrete intelligence of a specific attack at a particular time, or that would have gone up high in terms of the threat." |
A Home Office spokesman said the UK faced a "real and serious threat from terrorism". | |
"The overall threat level from international terrorism remains at severe which means that an attack is highly likely. | |
"The threat level to Great Britain from Northern Irish-related terrorism remains at substantial, which means that an attack is a strong possibility. | |
"There is a continuing need for vigilance and the public should report any suspicious activity to the police." | |
Security alert | |
Earlier on Monday, The Mall and Carlton House Terrace were closed after a disturbed manhole cover sparked an alert. | Earlier on Monday, The Mall and Carlton House Terrace were closed after a disturbed manhole cover sparked an alert. |
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating a break-in at Carlton Gardens but could not confirm whether or not the incident was linked to the closure. | The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating a break-in at Carlton Gardens but could not confirm whether or not the incident was linked to the closure. |
They were called at 0420 but the suspects had fled. | |
The building involved is believed to be 2 Carlton Gardens, which houses the Institute for Government think tank. | |
That is adjacent to the foreign secretary's residence, where William Hague is believed to have been at the time. | That is adjacent to the foreign secretary's residence, where William Hague is believed to have been at the time. |
BBC pictures from the scene show a van of search dogs, and the Met's underwater and confined spaces search team. | BBC pictures from the scene show a van of search dogs, and the Met's underwater and confined spaces search team. |
Roads around Northumberland Avenue were also closed while a bag was destroyed in a controlled explosion. The roads have now reopened. | |
Police said the bag was no longer deemed suspicious. | |