Polling stations were evacuated in south west London after an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered at a building site.
Police sealed off parts of Kingston on Thursday morning after the explosive was found in Fassett Road at about 9.15am, the Metropolitan Police said.
We've been informed of a World War 2 bomb in Fassett Road, #Kingston. We're working closely with emergency services who are evacuating the area. There's a cordon in place at Beaufort Road, Fassett Road, Grove Lane and Grove Crescent. Please avoid the area. We'll keep you updated
— Kingston Council (@RBKingston) May 23, 2019
Kingston University’s Penrhyn Road and Knights Park campuses were also evacuated, along with Surbiton High School, where some Year 10 students were sitting exams.
Specialist police officers examined the bomb and called in experts from the Ministry of Defence, the Met said.
Two polling stations were closed, St John the Evangelist church in Grove Lane and St Raphael’s Catholic church in Portsmouth Road.
Police were called around 0915 on Thurs, 23rd May, to suspected World War Two ordnance found on a construction site on Fassett Road, #Kingston. Officers are at the scene and cordons in place. The item has been examined by specialist officers. We have sought the assistance of MoD. pic.twitter.com/SiXlK1L6Dm
— Kingston Police (@MPSKingston) May 23, 2019
People taking part in Thursday’s European elections were instead directed to other sites to cast their vote.
Kingston University said all staff and students at evacuated campuses were “advised to go home”.
A statement said some student halls and houses were also evacuated.
The Met said residents told to leave their homes could go to the United Reformed church, in Eden Street, as they waited for cordons to be lifted.
One parent of a pupil at Surbiton High School said exams were postponed and one Latin exam on Thursday morning was abandoned mid-way through when the alarm was raised.
A cordon was expected to remain in place into Thursday evening.
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