A suspicious package has been found near Downing Street causing police to close Whitehall.
Civil servants including from the Treasury have been evacuated, with hundreds seen waiting near Horse Guards Parade round the back of Whitehall and Downing Street.
A stretch of Whitehall a few hundred metres long has been shut with “police do not cross” tape.
The section, closed to all vehicles and pedestrians, stretches from Parliament Square past Downing Street and the Cenotaph.
Officers were standing guard at the cordons with a small number of police vehicles inside the taped off area.
The Met Police said on Twitter: "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."
A government official said some of the government buildings along Whitehall were being emptied.
A police spokeswoman later added: "Specialist officers have assessed the item in #Whitehall and it has been declared as non-suspicious.
"The cordon has been lifted. Thank you for your patience."
