Passengers evacuated from London bus after discovery of suspect package

Police at the scene said they were exploring the possibility the bag had been left as a hoax

The number 73 bus was evacuated near Essex Road station (Max Benwell / The Independent)

Passengers have been evacuated from a double-decker bus in north London after the discovery of a suspect package, believed to have possibly been left as a hoax.

The package, a cardboard Gucci shopping bag, was discovered on the top deck of a number 73 bus as it travelled past the St Paul’s Street bus stop near Essex Road station.

The driver of the bus told the Independent that he had approached the package, which was tied closed, but was unable to open it.

He said he could see a black box in the bottom of the bag; at this point he alerted the police.

Metropolitan Police officers attended the scene and determined that the package was not a threat.

Metropolitan Police officers at the scene told the Independent they were exploring the possibility that the package could have been planted as a hoax.

Officers say they will be reviewing CCTV footage in order to determine who left the bag. The incident occurred at around 16.00 on Monday.

The security services are treating reports of suspect packages extremely seriously in light of the attacks in Paris over the weekend.

The Home Secretary Theresa May chaired a meeting of the Government’s Cobra security committee on Sunday to discuss the UK’s response to the attack.

Police presence on Britain’s streets has been increased, in part to reassure the public.

Ms May also said on Sunday that British police were working "very closely" with the French security services.