London bombs: Irish link investigated after package bombs sent to Heathrow, Waterloo and City airport

Police ask transport hubs across London to be vigilant amid concern there could be other devices

Parcel bombs have been discovered at Heathrow airport, London City airport and Waterloo railway station in what police believe is a coordinated campaign.

Counterterror officers are investigating the three devices following a series of evacuations on Tuesday.

Images of the parcel bombs suggested they had been sent from the Republic of Ireland, with false sender's addresses in Dublin written on the outside.

A spokesperson for the Gardai said: “We are assisting the Metropolitan Police with their enquiries.”

One of the packages was opened by office staff at Heathrow and burst into flames, but police said no one was injured.

Scotland Yard has not ruled out the existence of other bombs, and has issued advice to transport hubs across London “to be vigilant for and report suspicious packages to police”.

“The packages – all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags – have been assessed by specialist officers to be small improvised explosive devices,” a spokesperson said.

“These devices, at this early stage of the investigation, appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened.

“The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command is treating the incidents as a linked series and is keeping an open mind regarding motives.”

A spokesperson would not comment further on the origin of the parcels or suggestions of a possible “Irish dissident plot”.

Photos of two of the parcels appeared to show identical packages addressed by hand, in the same handwriting and using the same pen.

The stamps used were from a limited 2018 Valentine’s Day range produced by Ireland’s An Post service, featuring the words "Love Eire N".

Officers were first called to reports of a suspicious package at the Compass Centre, an office building in the grounds of Heathrow airport, shortly before 10am.

The package was opened by staff at the building, causing the device to initiate and burst into flames, but no one was injured.

Police officers secure the scene at Waterloo (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Police said the building was evacuated as a precaution and specialist officers “made the device safe”. The building remains closed as enquiries continue and flights at Heathrow have not been affected.

The second device was reported at 11.40am, when British Transport Police were called to investigate a suspicious package in the post room at Waterloo railway station.

The package was not opened and no one was injured. Police made the device safe and have cordoned off a small area outside the station, with trains continuing to run.

The third device was reported shortly after midday at Civil Aviation House, an office building next to London City airport in east London.

The package was not opened but staff were evacuated as a precaution as officers made the device safe. The building has been reopened.

DLR train services to London City airport were suspended but are now fully operational, and flights were not affected.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “While transport services continue to operate as normal, I urge all Londoners and visitors to our city to remain vigilant, and report any potential suspicious packages to the police.”

It came after a series of parcel bombings hit Texas last year, killing two people and injuring five before the perpetrator blew himself up.

In 2017, a Greek anarchist group claimed responsibility for sending parcel bombs to EU officials and the International Monetary Fund.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are doing everything we can to support the police with their investigation and to ensure the safety and security of our people as they deliver the mail to communities across the UK.

“Royal Mail has rigorous procedures in place to deal with suspect devices and trained personnel who manage these situations. All our employees are regularly briefed on these types of issues.”