A busy shopping centre in Bromley has now reopened after it was cornered off due to a "suspect package".
The shopping centre was evacuated at around 10am this morning (August 30), when emergency services were dealing with the incident while all visitors and staff were escorted away from the building.
Just after 12.30pm today, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that The Glades has now reopened.
Sniffer dogs and London Fire Brigade were also at the scene.
Natasha Fountain, who works at the Glades, told the News Shopper: "All the alarms went off.
"We were told to get outside. The area has been evacuated.
"It's something like out of a film.
"I can't get into my car. My belongings are in there but I can't get to it.
"We've been told it'll be closed for some time now."
Security Alert at The Glades
A London shopping centre has been shuttered this afternoon and police sniffer dogs called in following reports that a suspicious package was discovered.
Representatives for the Glades, a centre in Bromley, southeast London, said it has closed today "due to a suspect package" found inside, with workers saying they were told it will remain so "for some time". In a statement posted on social media, a spokesman for the shopping centre said police are now "dealing with the situation" and would advise staff on when to reopen.
The spokesperson said: "Please be aware that The Glades is now closed until further notice due to a suspect package. All visitors and staff have been safely escorted from the centre, and the Met Police are on site dealing with the situation. They will advise when it is safe to reopen."
Locals have said sniffer dogs were at the scene investigating the package, with other emergency services present following today's reports. One witness, Jay, who was sitting at Costa Coffee, told the News Shopper: "I'm just sat here and sniffer dogs have turned up. The fire brigade are here also. The area has been closed."
Natasha Fountain, a Glades staff member, said people were evacuated after alarms sounded, adding that it appeared like "something out of a film". She said: "All the alarms went off. We were told to get outside. The area has been evacuated. It's something like out of a film. I can't get into my car. My belongings are in there but I can't get to it. We've been told it'll be closed for some time now."
Glades Reopens After Suspect Package Investigation
A shopping centre in Bromley was evacuated due to a 'suspicious package' being found this afternoon (Friday, August 30). The Met Police have now confirmed that the centre has reopened.
The incident took place at The Glades, a shopping centre in the busy Bromley town centre.
A spokesperson for the shopping centre previously posted to X: "Please be aware that The Glades is now closed until further notice due to a suspect package. All visitors and staff have been safely escorted from the centre, and the Met Police are on site dealing with the situation. They will advise when it is safe to reopen."
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Another X user posted saying: "What's happened in the #glades #bromley - evacuated @PoliceSurrey."
A spokesperson for Bromley MPS confirmed the centre has now reopened: "The Glades Shopping Centre is now reopening following a police investigation into an incident inside. Thank you to PD Sirius and other emergency services in attendance for their assistance."
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A spokesperson for Bromley MPS posted to X: "Today, Bromley officers responded to a security alert at The Glades Shopping Centre in Bromley. The shopping centre was evacuated as a precaution.
"The incident has now been stood down, and The Glades has now been reopened. Thank you to everyone for the prompt and effective response and cooperation."
The Aftermath: Reopening and Investigations
The Glades shopping centre has now reopened following its evacuation and closure due to a 'suspect' package found there. A spokesperson for Bromley MPS posted to X: "The Glades Shopping Centre is now reopening following a police investigation into an incident inside. Thank you to PD Sirius and other emergency services in attendance for their assistance.
The Glades Shopping Centre is now reopening following a police investigation into an incident inside. Thank you to PD Sirius and other emergency services in attendance for their assistance. pic.twitter.com/TsDqT3d2NJ
The Met Police are dealing with the situation
The Glades has confirmed that the centre has been closed due to a 'suspect package', with staff and visitors being 'escorted' from the centre.
A spokesperson for them said: "Please be aware that The Glades is now closed until further notice due to a suspect package. All visitors and staff have been safely escorted from the centre, and the Met Police are on site dealing with the situation. They will advise when it is safe to reopen."
The Met Police have confirmed that there is a security alert which officers are dealing with.
The incident is taking place at a shopping centre called The Glades on the busy Bromley High Street. The centre is home to lots of familiar high street names such as Apple Store, Superdrug and HMV.
The centre has been evacuated and remains closed to the public 'until further notice', acocording to a spokersperson for The Glades writing on X.
The Glades: A Hub of Activity
The Glades is a popular shopping centre located in Bromley, a town in South East London. It is known for its wide range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The centre attracts a large number of visitors, making it a vibrant hub of activity in the area.
The incident at The Glades has caused significant disruption to shoppers and businesses in the area. The evacuation of the centre has led to long queues and delays as people were forced to leave the building. The closure of the centre has also impacted businesses, with many forced to close their doors during the incident.
However, the swift response of the emergency services and the cooperation of the public have ensured that the incident was dealt with effectively. The centre has now reopened, and shoppers and businesses can resume their activities. The police investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Despite the disruption, the incident at The Glades serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and security in public spaces. The quick response of the emergency services and the cooperation of the public demonstrate the importance of community preparedness in dealing with such situations.
