London police evacuate Trafalgar Square amid reports of suspicious object

Trafalgar Square in London has been evacuated as a large police cordon was put up amid large weekend Jubilee crowds. A number of police officers have been seen in the busy tourist area amid initial uncertainty over what was happening. Police have since said the incident has been concluded although it remains unclear what sparked the alert.

Report informs, citing foreign media, that several media reports say a suspicious package has been discovered. There are also numerous but so far unconfirmed reports of a bang - possibly a controlled police explosion - but police have provided no comment on this.

Tourist Sarah Churchill, who was in Trafalgar Square at the time, with her 11-year-old son Noah told the Mirror she heard a loud bang. "There were lots of police. We were just about to walk through the square. When we got to corner we saw it was cordoned off."

She said she was speaking to a policeman when a loud bang was heard. Reporter Crystal Goomansingh said on Twitter: "People were cleared from area before Met Police conducted a 'controlled explosion' on a suspicious vehicle."

Podcaster Jon Hansen said on Twitter: "Rushed out of Trafalgar Hotel because of a suspicious vehicle outside. Hurrying downstairs we saw a car with all windows smashed. On our way out of the area we heard an explosion. The hotel had told us police were waiting for evacuation before a controlled detonation."