Police have confirmed that three suspicious packages discovered at locations around London earlier today are 'small improvised explosive devices'.
The packages were discovered at Waterloo Station, London City Airport and an office building in Heathrow Airport. Met Police have issued a statement confirming that the three devices were discovered in yellow bags within A4 postal envelopes.
They have been assessed by specialist explosives officers and confirmed to be viable devices. Officers have confirmed that they are treating the incidents as part of 'a linked series' but maintain that they are 'keeping an open mind regarding motives'.
The statement reads: "The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command has launched an investigation after three suspicious packages were received at buildings in London.
"The packages - all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags - have been assessed by specialist officers to be small improvised explosive devices.
"These devices, at this early stage of the investigation, appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened.
"The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command is treating the incidents as a linked series and is keeping an open mind regarding motives."
The first package was discovered at an office building called The Compass Centre near to London's Heathrow Airport at just before 10am this morning. Staff opened the package 'causing the device to initiate' according to police.
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They also said that this 'resulted in part of the package burning'.
A London City Airport staff building was then evacuated as a precaution after a similar package was discovered there.
The airport has since tweeted to confirm that no flights were affected as a result of the evacuation.
Train services from Waterloo Station are also running as normal.
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Earlier in the day, Met Police issued the following information: "At approximately 09.55, police received a report of a suspicious package at The Compass Centre, Nelson Road, Hounslow,
"The building was evacuated as a precaution. Specialist officers attended and the package was made safe.
"At approximately 12.10 today, police were called to a report of a suspicious package at London City Airport Aviation House, Royal Docks, Newham.
"Specialist officers are at the scene. The building has been evacuated as a precaution. Enquiries are ongoing."
British Transport Police also released a statement pertaining to the events at Waterloo, saying: "We were called to Waterloo station at 11.40am today following reports of a suspicious package.
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"The item is currently being assessed by specialist teams.
"Cordons are in place, however train services continue to operate as normal at this time."
Despite the cordon being in place, services are still thought to be running normally.
Featured Image Credit: PXHere/PA
