Unexploded World War 2 bomb found on a Soho building site

Bomb disposal teams have removed an unexploded Second World War bomb from a busy area of central London.

Officers were called to a building site near Dean Street in Soho at 1.42pm after reports of the suspected explosive device.

Videos posted on Twitter showed people leaving buildings and gathering as police set up a cordon.

Witnesses described "lots of commotion" as the area surrounding the site was shut off.

A Royal Engineers bomb disposal unit was called in and removed the half-tonne device.

Shortly after 8.30pm, the Metropolitan Police's Soho team said the cordons in Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury Avenue, Lexington Street and Poland Street had been lifted.

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "An Army explosive ordnance disposal team has been called out to Soho to support the Metropolitan Police after discovery of a 500kg Second World War device.

"The Army EOD team have confirmed the bomb was safe to remove overnight to a location where it will be detonated," the spokesperson continued.

"Military personnel are regularly required to assist with the disposal of historic ordnance such as this, ensuring every situation is dealt with as quickly as possible for the safety of the general public."