Canary Wharf 'bomb scare': Controlled explosion carried out in London's financial district following reports of 'suspicious package'

Controlled explosion carried out following security alert in Canary Wharf

Police cordoned off Canary Wharf where a controlled explosion took place following reports of a 'suspicious package' (Michelle Le)

London's financial district was briefly placed on lockdown following reports of a suspicious package in Canary Wharf.

A Metropolitan police spokesperson told The Independent officers were called to Barclays' headquarters, near Churchill Place in London's Canary Wharf, at 9am this morning and a controlled explosion took place.

The threat was a false alarm and the investigation is now closed.

Canary Wharf Group, which runs the property estate, said safety cordons were introduced and "maintained throughout the incident", and the area is now returning to normal.

Police officers and a bomb disposal robot were spotted at the scene. Streets and roads were cordoned off following a security alert.

Home to Barclays, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, HSBC, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Canary Wharf is Europe's major financial district along with the City of London.