London’s Regent Street Triggered By Controlled Explosions After Suspicious Vehicle Alert

Police carried out controlled explosions on Regent Street after a suspicious vehicle was reported. The incident was later confirmed non-suspicious, with no signs of terrorism or immediate threat.

London police conducted controlled detonations on Wednesday, January 8, after a suspicious vehicle was seen in Regent Street, one of the city’s most populous shopping districts. The area became temporarily evacuated, roads around Regent Street and New Burlington Street closed as police accessed the vehicle for inspection.

The Metropolitan Police stated the blasts were precautionary and around 2:30 p.m. the police reported the case to be not suspicious. Police have informed people that the parked car is non-threatening and at no point had suggested the attack had anything to do with terror.

Counter-terrorism sources reported that there was no indication of any threat at first, and police later said that the area was secured and the situation was dealt with. Footage from social media shows police officers cordoning off the area, diverting pedestrians, and securing the scene. Witnesses say they heard a loud “boom” during the controlled detonations.