Terror threat returns to London as car bomb found
The threat of terror returned to London today after a car bomb was found in the heart of the British capital.
Bomb squad officers defused the “potentially viable” device after police investigated reports of a suspicious vehicle in the early hours.
One police source said the bomb posed a real and substantial threat to the surrounding area, just yards from Piccadilly Circus.
A witness reported seeing gas canisters being removed from the car, believed to be a silver Mercedes, at around 4am.
A massive police cordon was thrown around The Haymarket in the heart of London's busy West End.
Dozens of forensic officers were today poring over the crime scene, which was covered by a blue plastic police tent.
Scotland Yard said detectives from Counter Terrorism Command were investigating the potential bomb plot.
A spokesman said: “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.”
Rush-hour commuters faced disruption as nearby Piccadilly Underground station was closed and was expected to remain so for most of the morning.
The Haymarket is in the heart of London’s theatreland and close to the popular shopping area of Regent Street.
A housekeeper at the Theatre Royal in The Haymarket, who gave her name as Debbie, said that when she arrived at work this morning she was told by the police to stay at the back of the building.
She said the suspect car had been covered with blue tarpaulin and forensic officers dressed in white suits were seen going in and out.
She said: “We were allowed into the building through the back. Police are aware that we are in the building and we are working at the back.
“We can see a blue tent with the car inside and there are guys in white suits going in and out.”
Debbie said the entire length of The Haymarket had been cordoned off as well as side streets leading to it.
