29/06/2007

Suspect device dealt with in London

Police have discovered and made safe a "potentially viable explosive device" in southwest London.

The device was found in a car in The Haymarket shortly before 2am this morning.

Police were called to the scene after an ambulance arrived at the Tiger Tiger nightclub in Piccadilly and saw smoke coming from a metallic green Mercedes, outside the American Express foreign exchange.

The car contained 60 litres of petrol, gas cylinders and nails. A controlled explosion was carried out on the car.

Eyewitnesses had reported seeing the car driving erratically, before crashing into bins outside a nightclub. The driver then fled the scene.

The Haymarket is in the heart of London's theatreland and is close to the busy shopping area of Regent Street.

The MPS Counter Terrorism Command has launched an investigation and CCTV footage of the area where the car was discovered is being examined.

There has been major disruption in the area, as several roads have been closed. Police said that The Haymarket was likely to remain closed for the forseeable future.

Piccadilly underground station also remains closed.

In separate news, it was reported on Friday afternoon that security alerts are now taking place in Park Lane and Oxford Street, due to suspect vehicles.

Extra police patrols are now taking place across London and enhanced security has been put in place at the Houses of Westminster.

The Prime Minister has urged the public to be extra vigilant following the discovery of the device on Friday morning. Mr Brown said that Britain faces a "serious and continuous" threat from terrorism.

(KMcA)

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