By Freya Barnes Published: 13:32 EDT, 20 September 2024 | Updated: 16:22 EDT, 20 September 2024
A police bomb squad blew up a suspicious package that had wires poking from it in a ‘controlled explosion’ at East Croydon station on Friday evening.Officers were made aware of the package laid out on the steps of One Croydon, also known as The 50p Building, outside East Croydon station on Addiscombe Road just after 4pm today. People were evacuated from the road, station and surrounding areas and safety cordons were put in place whilst officers and bomb disposal specialists inspected the item. Pictures show what appears to be the contents of the package – a hammer and a wooden block with wires wrapped around it. The items were taken away in a plastic sheet for further examination.They conducted a controlled explosion at the location, blowing up what is thought have been a bag, as a precaution and said that the incident has now been stood down but enquiries remain ongoing. Police and bomb disposal specialists inspect the package left on the steps of One Croydon, also known as The 50p Building Pictures show what appears to be the contents of the package – a hammer and a wooden block with wires wrapped around it Police pictured outside East Croydon station after a suspicious package was found thereEast Croydon station was closed following the incident, leaving commuters’ plans up in the air as they tried to get home from work.Passengers who were already on trains expected to pull into East Croydon were told that there would be no further services stopping there but the service has now resumed.Some social media users posted videos of police cars and officers at the scene with one warning others: ‘If you have a flight from Gatwick. AVOID EAST CROYDON STATION. ITS CLOSED.’Another, who posted some aerial view footage of the area, said: ‘Looks to have all blown over now in East Croydon. Still don’t fully know what was going on. ‘Bomb threat, suspicious package…there was an absolute almighty bang though at some point, made me jump out of my skin! Even from the 20th floor!’ A police car and tape seen in a video taken at the scene and posted to social mediaLooks to have all blown over now in East Croydon. Still don’t fully know what was going on. Bomb threat, suspicious package…there was an absolute almighty bang though at some point, made me jump out of my skin! Even from the 20th floor! pic.twitter.com/Y1YlRgMh3P— Simon Bates (@SimonBates1991) September 20, 2024 When I’m just trying to go to EE in Croydon but can’t because someone thought that it would be a good idea to leave a suspicious package hanging around as well as blow up East Croydon. I hope no one is hurt. pic.twitter.com/3x2dzRZvTw— Pre-Save Bad NOW!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ (@LadyTwiista) September 20, 2024 One woman was trying to get to the EE shop on the high street but could not get through because of the police cars and cordons. She posted a video of the area and said: ‘I hope no one is hurt’.A spokesperson for the Met Police told MailOnline: ‘At about 4.07pm on September 20, police were made aware of a suspicious package in Addiscombe Road, Croydon.’Members of the public were evacuated and safety cordons were put in place while specialist officers assessed the item.’As a precaution, specialist teams have conducted a controlled explosion at the location.’This incident has now been stood down and enquiries remain ongoing.’MailOnline has contacted the British Transport Police for comment.
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Bomb squad blows up suspicious package with wires poking out in ‘controlled explosion’ at East Croydon station – with public evacuated and trainlines thrown into chaos