Counter-terror police are investigating a possible Irish link after three explosive devices were sent to major transport hubs in London.

Packages were sent to Heathrow Airport, Waterloo Station and City Airport.

All the packages were A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags and appeared capable of igniting a small fire when opened, the Met said.

Security sources have emphasised that investigators are keeping an open mind, but Irish police have confirmed that they are helping with the investigation following reports the packages had been sent with Irish stamps.

A statement from Irish police said: “An Garda Siochana are assisting the Metropolitan Police with their enquiries.”

Photo of one of the suspect devices – this one sent to Heathrow. It caught fire: pic.twitter.com/keObgokRVH — Alistair Bunkall (@AliBunkallSKY) March 5, 2019





Sky News correspondent Alistair Bunkall tweeted a picture which he said showed the package sent to Heathrow airport.

The stamps appeared similar to some issued by the Irish postal service for Valentine’s Day 2018, featuring a heart motif and the words “Love Eire N”.

One of the images showed a partially-burned package which appeared to have Dublin written in black ink in the bottom right-hand corner of the envelope, which Mr Bunkall said had caught fire.

View photos

Staff at the Compass Centre, which serves as Heathrow Airport Limited’s head office in Nelson Road, Hounslow, opened the package, causing it to partially ignite – as a result the building was closed and evacuated.

Scotland Yard said officers are treating the incidents as linked and are keeping an open mind regarding motives.

No one has been injured in the three incidents, police said.

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In a statement, Scotland Yard said: “At approximately 9.55am the Met Police received a report of a suspicious package at The Compass Centre, Nelson Road, Hounslow.

“The package was opened by staff at the building, causing the device to initiate. This resulted in part of the package burning.”

A second package was reported at around 11.40am at Waterloo Station, the statement said, adding: “The package was not opened. Specialist officers attended and made the device safe. No one was injured.”

The station was not evacuated and train services continued to operate as normal.

View photos London security alerts: Heathrow, Waterloo and City Airport devices were bombs, terror police say. Above officers cordon off an area near Waterloo. More

A third package was reported to police after a suspicious package was found at offices at City Aviation House, Royal Docks, Newham just after noon.

“Staff were evacuated from the building as a precaution,” the statement said. “The package was not opened and no one was injured. Specialist officers attended and made safe the device. The building has been reopened.

“As a precaution, DLR services to London City Airport were suspended but are now fully operational. Flights to and from the airport have not been affected.”

View photos All the packages were capable of igniting a small fire when opened, police said More

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