London, United Kingdom After a suspicious package was found close to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, just south of the River Thames, the Metropolitan Police conducted a controlled explosion on Friday. As a precaution, authorities quickly roped off the area surrounding the high-security location.
“We can confirm that the ‘loud bang’ reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” police said in a statement posted on X (previously Twitter). Cordons will be in place for the time being while investigations continue.
The US Embassy also said that local officials were investigating the finding of a suspicious item outside the building in a post on its official social media account. As a safety measure, roadways near the embassy were temporarily closed.
With cutting-edge security measures, the embassy, which moved to its present purpose-made facility in 2018, is built to withstand potential threats. Nick Aldworth, the former UK counterterrorism coordinator, referred to the complex as “one of the most secure locations in London” and highlighted its strong physical defenses, which include earth berms and other safety measures.
The response from the Metropolitan Police demonstrates their dedication to upholding security in such prominent areas. The package is still being investigated.
This incident emphasizes how crucial security and attention are at internationally important locations, such as the US Embassy in London.