News - Middle East: Authorities have put the US embassy in London into a state of lockdown with those inside told to duck and move away from windows of the building.

The Metropolitan Police said there was a security alert after a report of a suspicious item that had been left in the vicinity on Wednesday morning.

Local residents and witnesses said armed police heavily patrolled the area around the embassy. At least two fire engines and police vehicles surrounded the embassy.

Images from social media platforms showed people getting restless inside the embassy building. Pictures show people scrunching on the floor and sitting with their backs against the walls.

Staff and people waiting in a line were asked to stay far away from the windows and remain in a specific area away from the threat. Parents were seen with babies and young children sitting on the ground away from the windows.

Active social media users around the embassy had reported presence of armed police officers shouting around. However, the triggers behind the sudden heavy security and lockdown remained unknown for a long time.

The embassy later said in a tweet that the incident has since been resolved. “The US Embassy is back to normal business operations. Local authorities investigated and cleared a suspicious package outside the Embassy.”