Bomb squad carries out controlled explosions in Westminster as police investigate suspicious vehicle

No arrests have been made and enquiries into the incident are ongoing

Westminster Abbey in London (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A bomb squad has carried out two controlled explosions near Westminster Abbey as police investigated reports of an alleged bomb threat.

The Metropolitan Police received reports of a suspicious vehicle just after 2pm and a cordon and a number of road closures were put in place.

Two controlled explosions were carried out, the force confirmed three hours after the incident was first reported.

The incident was stood down at 5pm and officers lifted the cordon, the Met added.

There have been no arrests and enquiries are ongoing.

Earlier, the streets around Parliament Square had been cordoned off and deserted, except for police vehicles, pictures shared on social media show.

A witness told Reuters news agency that they heard a muffled bang in the Westminster area.

Two tube stations, Westminster and St James’, were also shut. They reopened at about 5.30pm, Transport for London said.

James Heale, a journalist for the Spectator magazine, said that the nearby QEII centre had been evacuated.

Westminster School, the private boys’ school, had also been evacuated, according to reports.