Security alert closes London tube station

A controlled explosion was today carried out following a security scare close to London's Victoria station, police said.

A controlled explosion was today carried out following a security scare close to London's Victoria station, police said.

The underground station was closed and surrounding streets, which were busy with shoppers and tourists, were sealed off.

Scotland Yard said they were called to the scene at 12.33 p.m.

A spokeswoman said: "There is a suspicious vehicle, believed to be a car. There is a cordon in place. Explosives officers are at the scene."

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The cordon was lifted at 2 p.m. after the controlled explosion was carried out.

Inspector Michael Heath said: "There was a controlled explosion to eliminate a suspect vehicle and we are going to resume normality in Victoria now."

The scare centred on a saloon vehicle on Buckingham Palace Road, police said.

British Transport Police said Victoria Underground station was closed at the request of the Metropolitan Police. The mainline railway station remained open.

PA