A controlled explosion has been carried out near East Croydon station this evening after a suspicious package caused services to be cancelled and severely disrupted.

On Friday, September 20, at around 4pm, police were made aware of a suspicious package on Addiscombe Road in Croydon.

As a precaution, members of the public were evacuated, and safety cordons were quickly put in place while specialist officers assessed the situation.

Specialist teams carried out a controlled explosion at the site to ensure public safety.

A local told Your Local Guardian that he heard a "loud bang" after he was evacuated from an onsite pub at the station. 

Following the explosion, the incident was stood down, but enquiries into the matter remain ongoing.

During the alert, commuters were urged to avoid East Croydon station, as National Rail confirmed that trains were unable to stop at the station.

The disruption affected Southern, Gatwick Express, and Thameslink services, with passengers being advised not to travel to the station.

The incident caused significant disruption, with delays expected until 7pm.

The station has since reopened, and services are gradually returning to normal.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “At about 16:07hrs on Friday, 20 September, police were made aware of a suspicious package in Addiscombe Road, Croydon.

“Members of the public were evacuated and safety cordons were put in place while specialist officers assessed the item.

“As a precaution, specialist teams have conducted a controlled explosion at the location.

“This incident has now been stood down and enquiries remain ongoing.”