Downing Street in lockdown after suspicious package discovered

Downing Street has been locked down after a suspicious package was discovered. Police have cordoned off the area and the buildings evacuated.

According to MyLondon Parliament Street has been taped off. The Met Police alerted public to the incident via social media.

In a tweet they said: "Police were called at 11.42hrs on Tuesday, 18 October to reports of a suspicious package in #Whitehall.

"Officers are in attendance and a cordon is in place as a precaution. The item will be assessed by specialist officers. Please avoid the area."

Witnesses at the scene later described a "loud bang" . Police said it was the "controlled explosion" of the package.

Following the controlled explosion the streets were reopened to the public.

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