The Metropolitan Police temporarily sealed off areas around Parliament on Thursday morning after a suspicious package was discovered near the House of Lords. The alert led to road closures and a heightened police presence as officers investigated the item.
Security alert at Victoria tower gardens
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers were called to Victoria Tower Gardens, a public park adjacent to the Palace of Westminster, at 11:37am following reports of a suspicious package.
In response, police immediately cordoned off the area, restricting access to roads and footpaths around the parliamentary estate. Additional officers were deployed to the scene as a precautionary measure, while specialist teams assessed the package.
A Met Police spokesperson confirmed:
“Officers were called to Victoria Tower Gardens, SW1 at 11:37hrs following reports of a suspicious package.”
The alert came amid heightened security concerns in the capital, with authorities taking swift action to ensure public safety and prevent disruption near key government buildings.
Investigation confirms package was non-suspicious
Following a thorough examination by specialist officers, the item was deemed non-suspicious, and the security measures were lifted.
At approximately 1:00pm, the Met Police stood down the incident, confirming that the area was safe and no further risk remained.
“The item has now been assessed and confirmed as non-suspicious,” the Met Police said in an official statement.
Road closures and disruption
During the security alert, several roads around Parliament Square and Millbank were temporarily closed, affecting both traffic and pedestrian access.
Authorities restricted entry to College Green, an area frequently used for live media broadcasts and interviews outside Parliament. Passersby and staff working in nearby government buildings were advised to follow police instructions.
However, following the all-clear, the road closures were lifted, and normal access to College Green was restored.
Heightened security in London
While the package turned out to be harmless, the swift response by the Metropolitan Police highlights the continued vigilance required to maintain security around the seat of the UK government.
Security measures have been tightened in recent years, particularly around Westminster, following previous incidents involving terrorist threats and public safety concerns.
The Palace of Westminster, home to both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, remains one of the most closely monitored locations in London, with strict security protocols in place.
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Public and political reaction
Following the incident, MPs, peers, and members of the public praised the swift response of the Met Police.
A parliamentary spokesperson confirmed that no evacuations had been necessary and that business continued as usual inside Westminster.
One eyewitness, a parliamentary staff member, described the moment police sealed off the area:
“We saw officers moving quickly to secure the area. Everyone was calm, but you could tell they were taking it seriously. It’s good to know that security measures are in place and working.”
Another bystander, who was in the area for a meeting, added:
“You never know what might happen these days, so I’m glad the police took it seriously and checked it out properly.”
Ongoing security preparedness
While this particular incident turned out to be a false alarm, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in areas of national significance.
The Metropolitan Police have urged the public to remain alert and report anything unusual, emphasising that security operations remain robust around the Palace of Westminster and other government buildings.
A spokesperson reiterated:
“We encourage the public to stay vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately. Public safety remains our top priority.”
With Parliament being a high-profile target, such incidents—whether genuine or false alarms—are taken extremely seriously to ensure the safety of politicians, staff, and the general public.
For now, normal operations have resumed around Westminster, but the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring security and public safety in the heart of the UK’s government.
