Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross station evacuated by armed police over suspicious item in central London

Police temporarily cordon off popular tourist destination which has now reopened after reports of a package left on nearby street

Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross station have been evacuated by armed police over a "suspicious item".

The Metropolitan Police said a suspect package was found on Duncannon Street, which connects the busy central London train terminus with Trafalgar Square.

In a statement, a Met spokesman said: "Police were called at 2.40pm (BST) to a suspicious item in Duncannon Street in WC2

"Specialist officers are in attendance and cordons are in place. As a precaution Charing Cross station has been closed."

An hour later, at 3.40pm BST, the Met said the incident was over and all roads had been reopend.

Traffic is running smoothly and officers are leaving the scene, the Met confirmed.

There were no further details about what caused the evacuation, but the force said it was not terror related.

For a short time Charing Cross Road was closed northbound between Trafalgar Square and Cranbourn Street “due to a police incident", Transport for London said.

Ten bus routes – 6, 9, 11, 15, 23, 24, 29, 91, 139, 176 – were temporarily diverted.