07 June 2023 , 12:03
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Whitehall and Downing Street have reopened after a suspicious package prompted a security alert.
Roads were closed and officials were evacuated from the Cabinet Office, near No10 Downing Street, while police officers investigated the item.
But the Mirror understands the alert was quickly cleared and staff allowed back into the building shortly after.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Road closures are in place around Whitehall while officers assess a suspicious package. We were called at 12:13hrs and remain in the area."
At 12.48pm, the force tweeted: "The item has been assessed as not suspicious and road closures are being lifted."
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Police officers searching a car that crashed into the gates of Downing Street on May 25 (AFP via Getty Images)A heightened police presence was in place on Whitehall, which is home to a number of Government departments, during the incident.
Most MPs were in the Commons chamber at the time for Prime Minister's Questions.
Rishi Sunak is currently on a trip to the US, meaning his deputy Oliver Dowden stood in for him at the weekly clash.
The security scare comes after an incident last month where a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street.
Seth Kneller, 43, of Crewe, was arrested by armed police on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.
He appeared in court charged separately with making indecent images of children and was remanded in custody until 23 June.
The incident is not being treated as terror-related and there were no injuries.
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