Metropolitan police give all clear to bomb scare in Finchley Central, normal Northern line service to resume

(Video courtesy of Judith Durham)

Before 10am this morning (November 24), Metropolitan police officers and London Fire crews cordoned off Ballards Lane, near Finchley Central station, to check out a suspected bomb.

Northern line service to Finchley Central station was shut down for “security checks” while crowds gathered in the street, many taking photographs and tweeting about the incident.

Never seen so many emergency service vehicles in my life 🙈 really hope its a false alarm & gets resolved. #Finchley #FinchleyCentral

— Henry Joseph-Grant (@speirin) November 24, 2016

Two fire engines from Finchley and one from Hendon were on standby in case the vehicle had proven dangerous.

On Twitter, Henry Joseph-Grant said: “Never seen so many emergency service vehicles in my life – really hope it’s a false alarm.”

Police confirmed it was safe shortly before 11am.

Cordons have been lowered and normal service and traffic is expected to resume.

Suspicious vehicle at Finchley Central Station has been given the all clear, cordons are being removed & Ballards Lane to open shortly

— Shomrim N.W. London (@shomrimlondon) November 24, 2016

Finchley Central station reopened at 10.46am as police left the scene.

The police said their would be no further official word on the matter.