Frightened shoppers could be seen running away from Regent Street in London this afternoon as police evacuated the area following reports of a ‘suspicious vehicle’.
Metropolitan Police officers swarmed the iconic Mayfair street and cordoned it off along with the nearby New Burlington Street whilst they investigated the potential threat.
As a result, the busy nearby shops and office buildings were evacuated just after lunchtime, whilst pedestrians were told to clear the area ‘immediately’.
Footage posted onto social media captured the moment people fled the area in a state of panic, whilst numerous alarms could be heard going off around them.
Many were told to leave the street, known for its array of bespoke and high-end men’s tailoring stores, without being made aware about what the threat was.
Another clip showed the deserted streets with the caption: ‘I’m still in the office on Regent Street. Very eerie. Heard at least one explosion.’
Onlookers were told to stand behind a police cordon that had been established near the Royal Academy.
Once the evacuation was complete, the force carried out a number of controlled explosions on the vehicle as a ‘precautionary measure’.
Metropolitan Police officers swarmed the iconic Mayfair street and cordoned it off along with the nearby New Burlington Street whilst they investigated the potential threat.
Footage posted onto social media shows frightened shoppers running away from the area, whilst numerous alarms can be heard going off around them
One eyewitness told The Standard: ‘They evacuated the whole street and are carrying out a controlled explosion.
‘There was just a loud bang and the police are moving everyone further away.’
The iconic shopping street is particularly busy this month as people flood to the area for the January sales.
A spokesperson for The Met said: ‘Road closures are in place in the vicinity of Regent Street and New Burlington Street while officers investigate a suspicious vehicle.
‘Officers have carried out a number of controlled explosions as a precautionary measure.
‘This incident has now been fully stood down. The vehicle was found to be non-suspicious.’
Westminster Police also confirmed that the incident had been stood down, saying: ‘This incident has now been fully stood down. The vehicle was found to be non-suspicious.’