The US Embassy in London was put into lockdown as police carried out a controlled explosion on a “hoax device”.

The embassy posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday morning saying authorities were investigating a suspicious package outside the complex in Nine Elms.

A cordon was put in place sealing off the building.

The Met Police confirmed it had carried out the explosion after a loud bang was heard in the area.

It later said in a statement on X shortly before 1pm: “Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down.”