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'Embassy drone threat' closes Kensington Gardens

Aurelia FosterLondon
PA Media Several police officers getting out of a van in Kensington GardensPA Media
A heavy police presence is visible from behind a cordon

Police are "assessing a number of discarded items" in London's Kensington Gardens after a video was shared online in which a group claimed to have targeted the nearby Embassy of Israel with drones carrying dangerous substances.

The Metropolitan Police said the embassy had not been attacked and officers were investigating the source and authenticity of the footage.

The entire park is cordoned off and will be closed throughout Friday as police investigate the items and authenticity of the footage.

The embassy confirmed the site was not attacked and staff were safe, while the Met said it does "not believe there to be any increased public safety risk at this stage".

PA Media Three police vans in front of some treesPA Media
Several emergency service vehicles have been seen in the park

A Met Police chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear team has been seen near the park's bandstand.

A fire investigation unit from the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service's hazardous area response team are also at the scene.

A labelled aerial map of Kensington in London showing the Israeli embassy marked in red among surrounding streets and buildings, with Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens nearby. An inset map highlights London’s location within the UK.

Met Police Commissioner Matt Jukes said:

"Counter-terrorism policing London are aware of a video shared online overnight in which a group claim to have targeted the nearby Embassy of Israel...we're carrying out urgent inquiries to determine the authenticity of the video and to identify any potential link between it and the items discarded in Kensington Gardens."

The force urged people to avoid the area while investigations are carried out.

Reuters A yellow sign on a closed gate of the gardens, which says 'park closed'.Reuters
Kensington Gardens is to remain closed throughout Friday, Royal Park said

A spokesperson for the embassy said: "A suspected security incident is being investigated in the park adjacent to the Embassy of Israel in London.

"We wish to clarify that all Embassy staff are safe and that the Embassy was not attacked.

"As always we remain in close and continuous contact with the local authorities."

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