An abandoned shopping bag caused the Exchange to be evacuated today due to a false bomb scare.
Police were called to the shopping centre in High Road, Ilford, at around 1.55pm over reports of a suspect package.
The building was evacuated, and Ley Street was closed off, while officers inspected it.
But they were stood down after it was found to be an abandoned shopping bag, a Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed.
The centre was reopened at 2.45pm.
Shoppers took to Twitter with the news.
Haymaker wrote: “Ilford exchange fully getting locked off.”
Ak_xx02 added: “I spoke to another person. definitely a bomb threat In Ilford.”
Were you in the Exchange when it was evacuated? Email ralph.blackburn@archant.co.uk or call our news desk on 0208 477 3821.
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