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A car abandoned on a pavement in a busy London town sparked a bomb scare this morning with hundreds of people being evacuated from the area.

A large area of East Croydon was cordoned off following reports of a 'suspicious' vehicle and a controlled explosion was later carried out.

Video from the scene shows a robot circling the car - believed to be a Vauxhall Corsa - before officers inspect the inside.

The security scare saw police and specialist officers descend on the scene at Dingwall Road.

It also sparked three hours of travel chaos after East Croydon station was closed with no trains stopping there.

Are you at the scene? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk

(Image: Sumeet Vermani)

One witness described to Mirror Online seeing "bomb experts" at at the scene before hearing a "loud bang".

"We think something has been detonated," she said.

Another wrote on social media: "Sounds like a controlled explosion just happened - very loud bang heard."

Others in nearby office buildings reported being told to stay inside and "away from the windows".

(Image: Sumeet Vermani/Twitter)

(Image: @Han_lou89/Twitter)

While a fourth added earlier: "All transport through closed, people being pushed back to east croydon, buildings being evacuated."

Footage also showed people being ushered away and under police tape.

A spokeswoman for the Met Police said they were called at 8.46am this morning.

“Officers, including specialist officers, attended and cordons were put in place," she said.

“A controlled explosion was carried out and the vehicle was declared non-suspicious.”

(Image: @Han_lou89/Twitter)

(Image: Sumeet Vermani/Twitter)

The train station reopened just before 11am.

One person, who did not want to be named, told Mirror Online there had been "hundreds of police everywhere".

She said her husband arrived at the station and was initially let in before police urged everyone to get out amid fears of a "suspect vehicle with a bomb".

Tram services were suspended between East Croydon and Reeves Corner due to the security alert. Bus routes were also being diverted.

National Rail confirmed there would be no trains at East Croydon until "approximately 11:00."

A spokesperson said: "A security alert at East Croydon means trains are currently unable to stop at this station.

(Image: Sumeet Vermani/Twitter)

"Train services will run fast through East Croydon. This is expected to continue until approximately 11:00."

Steve Reed, MP for Croydon North, also added on Twitter: "Arrived in Dingwall Road for the Develop Croydon event this morning to find the road closed off by police, no word about why, no one allowed in."

And another urged on social media: "East Croydon is locked off! Do not come near East Croydon."

British Transport Police earlier tweeted: "We are on scene in #EastCroydon as our colleagues at @metpoliceuk assess a suspicious vehicle in the area.

"The station has been closed and trains are not stopping there as a precaution. Thank you for your patience."