London Waterloo station evacuated after reports of ‘suspicious package’ in rush hour chaos

COMMUTERS were evacuated from Britain’s busiest train station today after a suspicious package was found.

Cops dashed to London Waterloo this afternoon and hundreds of passengers awaiting trains were told to leave.

Tube services in the area were also halted.

The Jubilee line was partially suspended and the Waterloo and City line was completely suspended.

Southwark Tube station also shut completely.

A spokesperson from British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to Waterloo Underground station at 3.53pm today following reports of a suspicious package.

“Specialist officers are in attendance and the station has been evacuated while they assess the item.”

Speaking at around 4.15pm, officials at Transport for London said: “There is no service on the Jubilee Line between London Bridge and Green Park while we respond to a security alert at Waterloo.

“There are severe delays affecting service on the rest of the line.”

However, just before 5pm, cops confirmed the station could reopen.

The official said: “Thankfully, it was deemed to be non-suspicious and the station will shortly be re-opened.”

Delays will likely remain for some time to come as travellers return to platforms.

Customers told of their frustration this afternoon.

One said: “Waterloo Underground station closed… nine Met Police cars, no one allowed in and Transport for London staff say police are inside.”

Waterloo links the capital with major towns and cities across the south and south-west.

It serves areas including Bournemouth, Guildford, Portsmouth, Southampton and Windsor.

Before the pandemic, Waterloo serves 86.9million passengers a year, although numbers plummeted to just 12.2m in 2020/21.