Central London Media and Shopping District Regent Street Evacuated Due to Bomb Scare, ‘Controlled Explosions’

Regent Street, one of central London‘s busiest shopping districts and also home to a number of arts and media companies, has been evacuated due to a suspected bomb.

The evacuation took place around 2pm local time after a car parked outside Hamley’s toy store aroused suspicion.

“Road closures are in place in the vicinity of Regent Street and New Burlington Street while officers investigate a suspicious vehicle,” City of Westminster Police said in a statement. “Officers have carried out a number of controlled explosions as a precautionary measure. We will post any further updates on this thread.”

Footage posted on social media shows the street has been cordoned off with tape and police stopping pedestrians and cars from progressing through it. Some witnesses reported hearing a loud “boom” nearby.

As one of the most famous roads in London, Regent Street has appeared in numerous TV shows and films, most recently the Robbie Williams biopic “Better Man.” In a scene that has been heavily praised by audiences, Williams – portrayed as a CGI monkey – dances down Regent Street to his 2000 hit “Rock DJ” accompanied by a reported 300 extras.

The famous road is home to a number of flagship retail stores including Apple, Microsoft, H&M, Burberry and iconic toy store Hamleys.

Further along the street is also the Regent Street Cinema, nicknamed the “birthplace of British cinema.” It opened in 1848, showing the U.K.’s first motion picture and is frequently hired out for premieres and Q&A screenings. The cinema is across the road from the BBC’s London HQ, New Broadcasting House, at Langham Place.

More to come…

Additional reporting by Alex Ritman