ITV Southbank studios evacuated as police reportedly initiate a controlled explosion

BBC News correspondent Natalie Pirks and Good Morning Britain journalist Suzanne Baum tweeted about the incident.

Appears to focus on the boot of a white car - roads around ITV closed while a robot carried out controlled explosion.

— Natalie Pirks (@Natpirks) May 20, 2016

Appears to focus on the boot of a white car - roads around ITV closed while a robot carried out controlled explosion.

— Natalie Pirks (@Natpirks) May 20, 2016

Sound of explosion next door to where I'm working at ITV. Bomb squad and sniffer dogs - think it's the IBM building

— Suzanne baum (@suzanne_baum) May 20, 2016

Tweets claimed the explosions were initiated by police, via robot, after staff were evacuated from ITV.

Two controlled explosions on Upper Ground, near London's South Bank. pic.twitter.com/2cF3Adwi1F

— Kris Fields (@KrisFields) 20 May 2016

@howtoojj @VlachAshton bomb squad robot. Southbank upper ground itv national theatre ibm pic.twitter.com/iRbse7wyxC

— Antony O'Neill (@antonyoneill) 20 May 2016

Controlled explosion outside ITV on upper ground earlier today pic.twitter.com/10NdUfiBBZ

— James Hayward (@haywardjm) May 20, 2016

In the local area staff in nearby offices were also evacuated from windows facing the ITV building. ITV chat show Loose Women was ceased as the evacuation occurred.

We've had quite the day - John falls off his chair and we've had a number of controlled explosions outside. Everyone is safe, don't worry!

— Loose Women (@loosewomen) May 20, 2016

The situation has been stood down and staff are reportedly back at their desks.

I'm told evacuation of #itv building was due to a suspicious package. Police cordon has been removed and staff back at their desks.

— Alex Dibble (@alex_dibble) 20 May 2016