The discovery of the suspected bombs reportedly sparked an counter-terror operation
Two suspected bombs were found during the renovation of a disused flat in north-west London on Wednesday.
The two devices were discovered at a property in Craven Park, Halseden, at which point it and the surrounding properties were evacuated pending an investigation by the Met Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.
Both devices were removed from the flat and are now undergoing examination. The surrounding area has also been searched by officers, who deemed it safe for residents to return to their homes.
A statement from the Met Police said that the Counter Terrorism Command are now leading the investigation:
“Police were called to an address in Craven Park, NW10 at 09:34hrs today, 21 November to reports of two suspicious devices found in an unoccupied flat which was in the process of being refurbished.
“Officers attended the address and as a precaution, the block of flats was evacuated and local road closures put in place whilst specialist officers assessed the two devices.
“Initial assessment was that they were both improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
“The two devices were subsequently made safe and recovered from the flat and are now undergoing further forensic examination.
“Further searches were also conducted in and around the block of flats and the area has now been deemed safe.
“Cordons around the block of flats were lifted at approximately 18:00hrs at which point residents were able to return to their homes.
“Officers remain at the flat where the devices were found as they continue to carry out enquiries.
“Given the nature of the devices recovered, detectives from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command are now leading the investigation. At this early stage, officers are keeping an open mind as to how or why the devices came to be there.”
