Second World War bomb discovered near Westfield London shopping centre
Westfield London has reopened after a Second World War bomb was discovered at a nearby building site.
The device, which was discovered at 10:40am today, has now been removed by specialist officers for examination.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the discovery this morning, advising people to avoid the area “for some time”. A number of premises close to the building site were evacuated and police cordoned off an exclusion zone of 400 metres around the area as they dealt with the situation.
The London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service were also called to the scene.
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The police confirmed the situation had been "resolved" – although congestion was expected as the area "returns to normal".
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The Met said: "Police were called at 10:41hrs to a building site in Ariel Way, White City, W12, to reports of an unexploded ordnance. Officers attended the scene and found what is believed to be a WW2 shell approximately 13.5 inches in length and around six inches wide.
"Local road closures and diversions are in place and pedestrians and motorists are advised to avoid the area. There are serious disruptions to public transport; commuters are advised to check before they travel."
It later added: "As of 12:40hrs, the item has been removed by specialist officers for examination,"
Local workers tweeted pictures of the evacuation.
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The closest Tube station to the shopping centre, near the BBC's former hub Television Centre, is Wood Lane, which was briefly shut before reopening.
This is the third WWII-era bomb to be discovered in London this year, following one in Bermondsey, and a second found at Wembley.
In both cases military removed the device and detonated it in a safe area.