White House placed on lockdown after suspicious package found nearby

Second lockdown in two days eventually lifted after package is cleared

The White House (Reuters)

The White House was placed on lockdown after a suspicious package was found nearby.

“Uniformed Division Officers responding to a suspicious package near Madison & Penn. Ave. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic may be impacted,” the Secret Service tweeted.

It iwas the second incident to cause a lockdown in two days - after a male suspect was arrested for throwing items - believed to be a sign and a notebook - over a fence at the northern end of the White House.

The fire service and police were also on the scene, while reporters were asked to clear the area.

The Secret service later tweeted that the suspicious package had been cleared, with White House activity returing

The daily press briefing from the White House was pushed back by 30 minutes until 2.30pm local time thanks to the lockdown.