A bomb disposal unit was sent to the vehicle on Monday (September 3) afternoon

Staff and visitors at the BBC were prevented from entering or leaving the BBC’s Broadcasting House on Monday (September 3) after police investigated what they described as “a suspicious vehicle” nearby.

A bomb disposal robot approached the vehicle, an orange van, before a number of controlled explosions were carried out.

Staff inside were advised to stay away from the windows and roads around the area were closed. All entrances and exits to New Broadcasting House were closed at 16:50pm whilst police carried out their investigations.

BBC staff from inside Broadcasting House tweeted details of the incident as it unfolded.

After police completed their checks, the building eventually re-opened at 18:30pm. Once police opened the van, it was reportedly found to contain cardboard boxes and a motor bike.

After the incident, the Metropolitan Police tweeted: “#W1 incident stood down and all roads to re-open…(We were called at 3:15pm to a report of a suspect vehicle on Portland Place #Westminster. The incident has now been stood down and police cordons are being removed. Thanks for your patience as officers worked at the location).”