Westminster Bridge is closed as armed police deal with ‘security alert’ at St Thomas’s Hospital
Armed police swooped on St Thomas’s hospital and shut Westminster Bridge after unarmed man ‘made threats’ – as Met says incident was NOT terrorism
- St Thomas’ Hospital in London was ‘locked down’ amid a ‘security alert’ today
- Police have since removed the cordon and confirmed the alert was a ‘false alarm’
- Witnesses claimed officers had blocked access to hospital as nearby roads shut
Police today swooped on a London hospital and shut Westminster Bridge after an unarmed man ‘made threats’ inside the building.
Armed police rushed to St Thomas’ Hospital near Waterloo and blocked the road in both directions in response to a ‘security alert’.
Witnesses claimed ‘all staff, wards and departments’ inside St Thomas’ were ‘locked down’ at the site, which is near the Palace of Westminster.
However, the Metropolitan Police has since confirmed the security alert was ‘stood down’. Officers added the incident was ‘not treated as terrorism.’
Officers spoke to a man but no arrests were made, Scotland Yard said.
A ‘security alert’ at a London hospital has been stood down after armed police put the building on lockdown and shut Westminster Bridge. Pictured: The scene
Police rushed to St Thomas’ Hospital near Waterloo today and blocked the River Thames crossing in both directions due to a ‘security alert’. Pictured: Armed police outside St Thomas’
An internal hospital memo seen by MailOnline confirmed the main entrance and Lambeth Wing entrance were closed amid the ‘security incident’ at St Thomas’.
The note said: ‘There is an ongoing security incident at St Thomas’ Hospital, as you may already be aware.
‘At this time the main entrance and Lambeth Wing entrance have been closed.’
Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Palace Road were closed in both directions as police responded to the ‘security alert’, but the cordon has since been removed.
Witnesses reported seeing armed police near a security cordon at the hospital, which is next to Westminster Bridge on the south bank of the River Thames.
It was said officers had blocked access to St Thomas’ amid the incident, as those inside the building were ‘locked down.’
Joe Sheffer said: ‘Incident at St Thomas’ hospital appears to be in south wing according to staff inside hospital.’
He added: ‘Nobody seems clear what is going on.’
Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Palace Road were closed to traffic in both directions amid the incident, which took place near to the Palace of Westminster
‘Armed police’ rushed to St Thomas’ Hospital near Waterloo today and have blocked the River Thames crossing in both directions
Witnesses claimed officers had blocked access to St Thomas’ Hospital as those inside the building were ‘locked down’. Pictured: The police cordon
The alert was a false alarm, the Metropolitan Police has since confirmed. Pictured: Police at the scene
Another witness said: ‘Something happening at St Thomas’ Hospital. My partner who works in cardiac has been evacuated upstairs, anyone know what going on?
‘Nobody allowed in and out of the hospital.’
Others reported seeing ‘ten armed police’ officers rushing inside.
‘My girlfriend just came out of an appointment there and said she saw ten armed police rushing into it as she was leaving,’ a man said.
Police did not confirm details of the incident when contacted by MailOnline but said there were no reports of injuries. Pictured: The scene today
There were suggestions the ‘security alert’ may have been a bomb threat, with one witness telling the Sun: ‘I heard it was a bomb threat and the hospital went into lockdown.
‘It seemed to be over with very quickly, but for a while it seemed like a life or death situation.’
In a statement, Lambeth Police said: ‘Police were called at 9.18am to St Thomas’ Hospital following a report of threats made by a male. No weapons were seen.
‘Officers subsequently located and spoke to a male inside the hospital. The incident was stood down at approximately 10:30am.
‘There have been no arrests. This was not treated as a terrorism incident.’
At 10.07am, the Met tweeted: ‘Police are dealing with a security alert at St Thomas’ Hospital, SE1. We will provide further info when known.’
Around 30 minutes later the force added: ‘The security alert at St Thomas’ Hospital is being stood down. We are in the process of removing cordons.’
The London Ambulance Service was in attendance but confirmed paramedics ‘did not treat any patients.’
