By James Simons-
Brent Cross shopping centre was temporarily closed this morning in response to a bomb threat reported to the Metropolitan Police.
The incident unfolded at approximately 9:20 am on December 28 when the police were alerted to a threatening email.
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Met Police vehicles were seen blocking the roads surrounding Brent Cross Shopping Centre in north-west London. According to police, the shopping centre received a “threatening email” this morning before the centre opened to the public.
As a precautionary measure, officers, including sniffer dogs and specialist units, conducted a thorough search of the shopping centre, which had been closed to the public at the time. The closure primarily affected staff, many of whom were evacuated from the premises.
Employees at various shops shared their experiences, with one Moss worker stating, “The alarm went off, we were told to leave, and we didn’t really know what was going on. We just had to wait to hear from the communications chat that it was safe to come in.”
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Roads leading to Brent Cross faced disruptions as traffic was diverted, causing delays for those attempting to access the shopping centre. Buses and cars were redirected, and some individuals reported being stuck in traffic for an extended period.
The incident prompted the intervention of the London Fire Brigade, which was called at 9:49 am. Two fire engines from Hendon Fire Station attended the scene, and the firefighters’ involvement concluded by 11 am.
Fortunately, the investigation yielded no evidence of suspicious items, and the Met confirmed that the incident was stood down.
The shopping centre, a popular retail destination, was gradually reopened, starting with employees gaining access at 11:20 am. Customers were allowed entry later in the day.
The closure caused disruptions to businesses within the shopping centre, with many shops still in the process of reopening or having their shutters down as of 11:30 am.
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