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Security alert at London Heathrow Security alert at London Heathrow
(40 minutes later)
Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 has been evacuated after a suspect package sparked a security alert. Thousands of passengers travelling from Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 are facing delays after a suspect bag sparked a security alert.
The Metropolitan Police said it was dealing with the item at the terminal which had been evacuated and all roads leading to it closed. The Metropolitan Police said it was dealing with the item at the terminal, which had been evacuated and all roads leading to it closed.
BAA said departing passengers were being re-screened and delays to flights were expected. BAA said the departure lounge was partially evacuated and departing passengers were being re-screened.
Earlier on Tuesday a controlled explosion was carried out on a suspect device near Hammersmith Tube station. Passengers have been warned this will cause delays to some flights.
BBC correspondent Daniel Boettcher said hundreds of people were backed up onto the street and into the car park.
Extra precaution
The alert comes amid heightened security following failed terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said all air traffic from Terminal 4 had been stopped while checks were carried out.
BAA said the suspect bag was identified shortly before 1200 BST.
A spokesperson said: "As an extra precaution, it was decided to perform secondary searches on all departing passengers at the aircraft gate.
"In order to facilitate the secondary search process, a decision was made by the police to partially evacuate the departure lounge and re-screen the passengers.
"Contingency plans have now been activated to ensure that we are able to effectively manage the increase in resource that this secondary search requires."
Terminal 4 is used by KLM, British Airways, Qantas Airways and Sri Lankan Air.
Alternative routeAlternative route
The alerts come amid heightened security following failed terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow. Earlier on Tuesday a controlled explosion was carried out on a suspect device near Hammersmith Tube station.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said all air traffic from terminal four had been stopped while checks were carried out. During the morning rush-hour the station in west London and surrounding roads were closed when a suspect device was found at about 0825 BST.
During the morning rush-hour Hammersmith Tube station in west London and surrounding roads were closed when a suspect device was found at about 0825 BST.
There was an unconfirmed report the suspect objects had turned out to be three abandoned fire extinguishers.There was an unconfirmed report the suspect objects had turned out to be three abandoned fire extinguishers.
Up to 8,000 commuters were forced to find alternative routes into work as Hammersmith and Barons Court stations were closed for an hour.Up to 8,000 commuters were forced to find alternative routes into work as Hammersmith and Barons Court stations were closed for an hour.
There were also severe delays for motorists as Hammersmith Broadway was closed between King Street and Shepherd's Bush Road as well as Hammersmith Bridge.There were also severe delays for motorists as Hammersmith Broadway was closed between King Street and Shepherd's Bush Road as well as Hammersmith Bridge.
Tower Hill and East Ham Tube stations were shut during the morning rush-hour in a separate alert.Tower Hill and East Ham Tube stations were shut during the morning rush-hour in a separate alert.