London terror probe: what we know so far after explosive devices sent to Waterloo and near Heathrow and London City airports

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A British Transport Police vehicle at Waterloo Railway Station, London, after three small improvised explosive devices were found at buildings at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo
PA
James Morris5 March 2019

The devices were reported at or near Heathrow Airport, Waterloo station and London City Airport on Tuesday.

Met investigations continued on Tuesday evening with officers treating the three cases as linked.

Here is what we know so far:

What were the devices?

The packages were all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags.

Police said these devices were capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened.

Has anyone been caught?

No arrests have been made.

What times were the packages found?

The Met received its first report at 9.55am on Tuesday from staff at the Compass Centre, an office building on the grounds of Heathrow Airport. The package was opened by staff, causing the device to initiate. This resulted in part of the package burning. No one was injured but the building was evacuated. Specialist officers arrived and made the device safe.

The second package was reported at 11.40am. British Transport Police was called to reports of a suspicious package in the post room at Waterloo Station. The package was not opened and specialist officers made the device safe. No one was injured.

The third package was reported half an hour later, at about 12.10am. Police were called to offices at City Aviation House on the grounds of City Airport. Again, the package was not opened and made safe by officers as the building was evacuated. There were no injuries.

How were the buildings affected?

The Compass Centre remained closed on Tuesday evening as the investigation continued.

Waterloo station was not evacuated, but cordons remained in place in a small area outside the station on Cab Road.

City Aviation House reopened at 4pm, just under four hours after the evacuation.

Was there travel disruption?

Flights at Heathrow were not affected.

Train services at Waterloo, the UK's busiest train station, operated as normal. Rush hour trains operated unhindered.

As a precaution, DLR services to London City Airport were initially suspended but soon returned to fully operational. Flights to and from the airport were not affected.

Could any more packages have been sent?

The Met has issued advice to transport hubs across London to be “vigilant” and to report all suspicious packages to police.

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