Following the evacuation of one of the busiest shopping districts in the United Kingdom due to the presence of a suspicious vehicle, British officials conducted controlled explosions in downtown London.Both Regent Street and New Burlington Street in downtown London were shut off, and the detonations were carried out by bomb disposal crews. The blasts were carried out as a precaution, according to the local police. The car that set off the alert was later determined to be non-suspicious, they stated in a statement.Images shared on social media showed a large police presence and shoppers running to evacuate the area.
Officers dealing with the incident have since been "fully stood down", according to local authorities.
Regent Street and the surrounding area are especially busy this month as people flood to the area because of post-Christmas January sales.Members of the public were reportedly urged to move other parts of London during the police investigation. Local media report that the incident caused heavy traffic congestion in the area and public transport being diverted.
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