16/05/2011

Central London Reopens After Bomb Threat

Following a bomb warning by dissidents republicans, the area around Buckingham Palace has now been re-opened.

Scotland Yard reported the telephone threat was made using a recognised code word but was not specific with regard to either location or time.

Around 4.20am an officer spotted “something suspicious”.

The Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and British Transport Police have been advised to be highly vigilant.

The threat comes a day ahead of the Queens Royal visit to Ireland.

The Metropolitan Police have said the threat level from Irish-related terrorism has not increased and remains at substantial meaning that an attack is a strong possibility. The threat level was raised in September 2010 from moderate to substantial.

This is lower than the overall threat to the UK from international terrorism which remains at severe.

(BMcN/GK)

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