Croydon: Train station evacuated and roads closed as police investigate suspicious vehicle

Staff told to leave nearby offices as police robot seen examining car on pavement

A busy south London rail station was evacuated as police investigated a “suspicious” car parked outside.

Police cordoned off streets around East Croydon station and trams were suspended following the security alert on Thursday morning.

The station was closed for two hours after officers called to reports of a suspicious vehicle at 8.46am. The Metropolitan Police cordoned off roads in the surrounding area and sent a bomb disposal robot to to examine a car, which was found to pose no threat.

A spokesperson said: “The vehicle was not suspicious, although is believed stolen. The road will remain closed for a short time while the vehicle is recovered. Local people and motorists are thanked for their patience.”

Footage posted on Twitter showed a police robot taking items from a car parked on the pavement shortly before police gave the all-clear.

Earlier, crowds of people had streamed out of offices as police evacuated buildings in the area.

Trains stopped calling at East Croydon for two hours and operator Southern said disruption was likely to continue until later in the day. The station is among busiest in the country and is used by more than 23 million passengers a year.

Andy Leicester, head of stations at Southern, said: “Owing to a security alert near East Croydon station, the station has been evacuated and trains are not currently stopping there.

“This is expected to last until around 11.00am, although disruption is likely to continue until later. We are advising passengers to use nearby West Croydon station in the meantime.”

British Transport Police said the station was closed “as a precaution”.

Trams were suspended between East Croydon and Sandiland.