Spitalfields bomb scare: Shops and restaurants evacuated over suspect package in east London

Restaurants and shops were evacuated after a bomb scare in the heart of Spitalfields this evening.

Police sealed off buildings around Commercial Street after a suspect package triggered the alert.

Officers were called just after 5pm and emergency services including specialist officers were sent to the scene.

Hannah Parvaz, who works in marketing at music startup Dice, tweeted: "Everything in the area has been evacuated, including a local Nando's."

Jessica Ferrow said: "Bomb scare outside my office in #spitalfields. Had to evacuate at 5.55 on a Friday night. What is with this week?!"

Police were stood down at about 6.30pm and the cordons were lifted.