Car bomb defused in central London

Friday, June 29, 2007

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A car containing an large explosive device has been defused in the Haymarket, London.

A car, light metallic green Mercedes-Benz E Class saloon (produced 1984-1995), parked near a nightclub, contained petrol, gas cylinders and nails. Police described it as a "potentially viable explosive device".

Police carried out a controlled explosion at 02:00 BST and the car has been taken to a forensic explosives laboratory for further investigation.

Eyewitnesses saw the car driving "erratically" and colliding with bins before being abandoned. An ambulance crew in the area alerted police after seeing smoke inside the car.

Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Clarke said there could have been "significant injury or loss of life".

A meeting of COBRA, chaired by new Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was held about the incident.

Police say it is too early to tell who is behind the threat. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the country faces a "serious and continued security threat" and urged people to "be vigilant at all times".

Disruption has been caused to transport in the area with roads closed and bus routes diverted. Piccadilly Circus tube station has reopened after an earlier closure

Police are reviewing major events to be held in London over the weekend.

Park Lane

The BBC reported that Park Lane has been closed off due a suspicious car found in an underground car park. Police now believe that the two incidents are linked. Hyde Park has also been closed off due to the activity around Park Lane. The Park was sealed off due to the underground car park situated underneath the park.