Police lockdown Whitehall as they investigate abandoned vehicle near Downing Street

On June 11, 2025, police in Westminster, London, took precautionary measures by cordoning off Whitehall following the discovery of an abandoned vehicle near Downing Street. The area experienced heavy traffic disruptions as the road was closed off in both directions between Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square. The Metropolitan Police issued statements via social media, informing the public about the situation and describing the measures in place to address the threat. While civil servants in government buildings were unable to enter or exit, ongoing police investigations reassured the public that the situation was being handled appropriately. Simultaneously, nearby Abingdon Street experienced a separate incident that involved a road traffic collision, where a coach collided with a pedestrian. Reports indicated that the individual was trapped underneath the vehicle, prompting an immediate response from the London Ambulance Service, which dispatched an air ambulance to the scene. The condition of the injured pedestrian remained unclear at that point. The police, however, confirmed that these two incidents, the suspicious vehicle and the road traffic collision, were not connected. Transport for London advised commuters to avoid the Whitehall area due to various bus and vehicle diversions as police continued their investigation. After a period of concern, police later reported that the incident involving the abandoned vehicle had been resolved, and cordons would soon be lifted, allowing normal activities to resume in the area. Ultimately, these events underscored the ongoing security challenges faced by public authorities in high-profile areas, especially in light of historical concerns regarding safety and potential terrorist threats in places tied to government operations.