Police have opened a counter-terror investigation after two improvised explosive devices were discovered in a northwest London flat.

Officers were called to the unoccupied address in Harlesden, which was in the process of being refurbished, on Wednesday morning.

As a precaution, the block of flats was evacuated and nearby roads were cordoned off while specialist officers assessed the two devices.

They found both to be improvised explosive devices. The bombs were "made safe" and taken away from the flat for forensic examinations.

Image: Police are keeping an 'open mind' as to how the devices came to be in the flat

Officers carried out further searches around the block and now deem the area safe. Residents were able to return to their homes earlier on Wednesday evening.


Police are still at the flat where the devices were found as they continue carrying out their inquires. No arrests have been made.

In a statement, Metropolitan Police said they were "keeping an open mind as to how or why the devices came to be there".

Chief Superintendent Simon Rose said: "I'd like to thank local residents in the area for their patience and understanding whilst we dealt with this incident today.

"The public's safety is our top priority, and I would like to pay tribute to the specialist officers who attended and were able to safely recover the devices.

"I also want to reassure the local community that we have carried out precautionary searches in the surrounding area to make sure there was nothing else of a similar nature nearby, which I'm pleased to confirm is the case."

Britain is on its second-highest threat level after several terror attacks last year.

Officers are appealing to anyone with information to call 0800 789 321 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.