Car Bomb Discovered in Haymarket, London
Breaking news has emerged this morning regarding the discovery and subsequent make-safe of a so called “potentially viable explosive device” in central London. Police officers, called to the scene, performed a controlled explosion on the device. Its presence was initially reported at around 2.00AM this morning, although it is not yet established whether this was as a result of public sightings, or if the police had been anonymously tipped off.
It was contained in a vehicle, which was parked in London’s Haymarket area. As soon as the vehicle and its contents were discovered, the perimeter around the location was sectioned off to allow the police to fully examine the subject matter.
In the aftermath of the controlled explosion, an investigation is now to be launched by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, it confirmed. For the moment, some details have been confirmed by a spokesman from Scotland Yard, who stated: "Police were called to reports of a suspicious vehicle parked in The Haymarket, shortly before 2am this morning. As a precautionary measure the immediate area was cordoned off while the vehicle was examined by explosives officers. They discovered what appeared to be a potentially viable explosive device. This was made safe. The Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command has launched an investigation."
There are unsubstantiated reports that gas canisters had been taken out of the vehicle’s rear, one witness describing viewing this at around 4.00AM. It is believed that the vehicle in question was a silver-painted Mercedes.
The Haymarket is located in the epicentre of London’s theatreland; with Piccadilly Circus lying nearby. As a result of this morning’s events, it is probably now going to be closed for some time, which could impact severely on local travel. So far, Piccadilly Circus Tube Station is inaccessible to the public, with trains not permitted to stop there at present. Diversions are also in place in respect of local bus services.
Source - Security International Newsdesk
