Cordons lifted at Portland Place near BBC after security scare

The cordon on Portland Place near the BBC has been lifted after earlier reports of a 'suspicious vehicle'.

Great Portland Street was been closed and police were ushering people out of the area.

But the cordon has now been lifted and people have been allowed to return to their offices.

It was the second security alert in central London on Tuesday, after police were called to a building near London Bridge station following reports of a 'suspicious package'.

The Metropolitan Police told The Independent a call was received at shortly after 2pm.

“There is a suspicious vehicle and a full evacuation has taken place,” he added.

Newsnight producer James Clayton tweeted photos of the area being evacuated and the area being cordoned off.

It was initially believed Broadcasting House was evacuated, however Clayton clarified afterwards it was the piazza of the building which was cleared.

He said police said at the time it was in response to a "suspect vehicle" near BBC Broadcasting House.

The BBC, Chinese and Polish embassies, Kenya High Commission and headquarters of organisations including the Royal Institute of British Architects are among some of the buildings in the area.