bomb disposal westminster
Pictured: A bomb disposal robot next to the Cenotaph in central London, where a suspicious item near Downing Street was being investigated
Whitehall is on lock-down after police investigated a suspicious item, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.

The force closed off roads while specialists examined the item next to the Cenotaph, close to Downing Street in central London.

Nobody is being allowed to leave Number 10 or the Cabinet Office, according to Telegraph journalist Steven Swinford. An Army bomb disposal robot was also deployed to the scene.

Westminster Metropolitan Police tweeted: 'Temporary road closures in place around Whitehall whilst suspect item assessed.

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Pictured: A van carrying specialist officers in Whitehall this afternoon as police investigate reports of a suspicious item
'Police attended at 1201hrs today. Specialist officers are now in attendance.'

The force tweeted about an hour later that the item has been assessed and found to not be suspicious.

'Happy to update the item concerned has now been fully assessed and deemed non-suspicious,' they said. 'Roads will be reopened shortly. Thanks again for your patience and cooperation.'