Image caption The device sent to Heathrow Airport caught fire when staff opened it

Counter-terror police are investigating three packages containing explosives found at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo station.

The "small improvised explosive devices" were found in A4 postal bags, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force's Counter Terrorism Command is treating it as a "linked series" and "keeping an open mind" about motives.

Irish police are assisting the Met as the Heathrow and Waterloo packages had Republic of Ireland stamps.

Heathrow's Compass Centre was evacuated after a package was reported to police at about 09:55 GMT.

The device caught fire when staff opened the bag.

Image caption A second explosive was found in the post room at Waterloo station with the same "Love & Wedding" stamps

Scotland Yard said: "The packages - all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags - have been assessed by specialist officers to be small improvised explosive devices.

"These devices, at this early stage of the investigation, appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened."

A Heathrow spokeswoman said the airport would support the police investigation into the "criminal act".

The Gardaí confirmed it was also assisting the Met.

Ireland's postal service identified the stamps as its "Love & Wedding" design for greeting cards, wedding invitations and thank-you cards.

The Compass Centre, which is an office for Heathrow staff rather than part of the passenger terminals, remains closed.

The picture of the jiffy bag addressed to Waterloo appears to show its sender's address as Bus Eireann, Dublin.

The operator said police had not been in touch, with a spokeswoman saying: "Bus Eireann are currently not aware of this and we have no further comment."

Analysis: BBC News Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford

Working explosive devices being sent through the mail - or letter bombs - are very rare in the UK.

Fortunately these packages only appear to be designed to start a very small fire - the one that went off just melted part of its own plastic envelope, and the other two were not opened.

But there is sufficient concern about today's incidents for them to be investigated as a linked series by Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command.

This means the full weight of resources and expertise of one of the world's most experienced counter terrorism teams will be trying to get to the bottom of who sent the packages and why.

The motive is unclear. It could be anything from Irish republicanism to a grievance against transport companies. Other possibilities include someone with strong opinions about Brexit or someone with mental health problems.

The devices do not seem to be capable of causing serious injury, so they were probably intended to have a nuisance effect and to generate publicity, which they have successfully done.

Police will be hoping the series is now over.

Two more packages were found in the capital over the next three hours.

An area of Waterloo station was cordoned off after a second package was discovered in the post room at about 11:40, the BBC understands.

One worker among a group of staff outside the Network Rail office said he found the package.

Asked about the discovery, he said: "I'm sorry, I've been told I can't talk about it."

About 100 workers were evacuated from City Aviation House at City Airport in Newham after a third package was reported at about 12:10.

City Aviation House is a two-minute walk from the passenger terminal.

Staff returned to the office at about 16:00.

The second and third packages were not opened and have since been "made safe", police said.

Flights were not affected but Docklands Light Railway trains did not stop at City Airport for about an hour during the investigation.

Image caption A cordon was in place at Waterloo station, where one of the devices was found at 11:40

Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan, from British Transport Police, said commuters should feel "safe and reassured" while travelling.

"Officers will be highly visible on station concourses, on board trains as well as the London Underground network," he added.

"Passengers are of course the eyes and ears of the network and we want to hear from you if you see something that doesn't look right."

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling urged people to report "anything suspicious" to police, while Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: "Our thanks go to police, security, transport staff and all involved for their swift actions to keep our city safe."</s>Counter-terror police have said three suspicious packages found near transport hubs across London were "small improvised explosive devices".Officers were called to Waterloo Station, London City Airport and an office building near Heathrow Airport inearlier today.Three A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags were found, the Met Police has now confirmed.Specialist officers have assessed the packages, which were found to be "small improvised explosive devices".they said.Counter terrorism officers say they are treating the incidents as "a linked series" but are "keeping an open mind regarding motives".In a statement, the force said: "These devices, at this early stage of the investigation, appearwhen opened."Police were first called to The Compass Centre, an office for Heathrow Airport, at 9.55am.Officers said the package sent there was opened by staff, "causing the device to initiate [which] resulted in part of the package burning".The building was evacuated as a precaution, but no one was injured.Police added: "Specialist officers attended and made the device safe. The building remains closed as enquiries continue. The building is not based at Heathrow Airport, and flights have not been affected by this incident.""At approximately 12.10 today, police were called to a report of a suspicious package at London City Airport Aviation House, Royal Docks, Newham.Aviation House near London City Airport was evacuated as a precaution but the airport tweeted to say there was no impact on flights.In a statement about the incident at Waterloo, British Transport Police said: "We were called to Waterloo station at 11.40am today following reports of a suspicious package."The item is currently being assessed by specialist teams."Cordons are in place, however train services continue to operate as normal at this time."South Western Rail have said a small cordon is in place but services are still running.</s>Police have cordoned off areas of Waterloo Station

Specialist police are investigating suspicious packages found at three major transport hubs in London.

Officers were called to Waterloo Station, Heathrow Airport and London City Airport in separate incidents within hours of each other earlier today.

Police are still assessing the situation at Waterloo and at City airport, but say a package found at Heathrow has been "made safe".

They have not yet said whether there is a link between the reports.

London City Airport was evacuated as a precaution, the Met Police said, but the airport has tweeted to say there is no impact on flights.

Train services at Waterloo are still running as normal.

"At approximately 09.55, police received a report of a suspicious package at The Compass Centre, Nelson Road, Hounslow," the force said of the incident at Heathrow.

"The building was evacuated as a precaution. Specialist officers attended and the package was made safe.

"At approximately 12.10 today, police were called to a report of a suspicious package at London City Airport Aviation House, Royal Docks, Newham.

"Specialist officers are at the scene. The building has been evacuated as a precaution. Enquiries are ongoing."

In a statement about the incident at Waterloo, British Transport Police said: "We were called to Waterloo station at 11.40am today following reports of a suspicious package.

"The item is currently being assessed by specialist teams.

"Cordons are in place, however train services continue to operate as normal at this time."

South Western Rail have said a small cordon is in place but services are still running.</s>Gatwick Airport is ‘operating as normal’ after suspicious packages were found at three different London transport hubs today- including two near airports.

The Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command has launched an investigation after three small improvised explosive devices were found at train stations and airports across the capital.

Officers said the Compass Centre on the grounds of Heathrow Airport was evacuated after a package was found inside the building at about 10am.

Several hours later staff were evacuated from London City Airport’s City Aviation House after a suspicious package was found at about 12.10pm.

A suspicious package was also discovered in the post room at Waterloo station earlier today.

Gatwick, which serves the London area as well as the south east, said no suspicious packages had been found at the airport but it was remaining vigilant.

A spokesperson said: “No suspicious packages have been found at Gatwick and the airport is operating as normal.

“The airport remains vigilant and is monitoring the situation at other transport hubs.”

A spokesman for the Met Police said: “The packages – all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags - have been assessed by specialist officers to be small improvised explosive devices. These devices, at this early stage of the investigation, appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened.

“The Met Police has issued advice to transport hubs across London to be vigilant for and report suspicious packages to police.”

No-one was injured and no arrests have yet been made, officers added.</s>Counterterror officers are investigating the three devices as linked following a series of evacuations on Tuesday. One of the packages was opened by office staff at Europe’s busiest airport Heathrow and burst into flame. Police has said no one was injured.

Have flights been cancelled at Heathrow and London City airports? Flights from Heathrow and London City have not been affected. If you’re worried about your flight being cancelled you can check live departures for London City HERE and Heathrow HERE. However, the Compass Centre in Heathrow's grounds, where the suspicious package was found, was evacuated at about 9.55am on Tuesday.

The Compass Centre, which serves as Heathrow Airport Limited's head office, remains closed. The device at London City was reported at 12.10pm at offices at Civil Aviation House, an office building next to London City Airport in east London. The package was not opened but staff were evacuated as a precaution as officers made the device safe. The building has since been reopened.

On Wednesday, police responded to reports of suspicious packages at the three major transport hubs in London. All the packages were A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow jiffy bags, and according to the police, appeared capable of igniting a small fire when opened. There have been no reports of damages or injuries.</s>Three small devices were sent to Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo station that "appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened," London's Metropolitan Police said.

No one was hurt. Transit on the Docklands Light Railway system to London City Airport was disrupted briefly but resumed soon thereafter. Flights and other transit were not affected.

Authorities wrote in a tweet that the improvised explosives are being treated as linked. They were all found within hours of each other.

The first package was found at Compass Centre, Heathrow Airport's main office, and was opened by staff, "causing the device to initiate," Scotland Yard said in a statement. "This resulted in part of the package burning."

The Compass Centre remains closed after the incident, the BBC reported.

U.K.-based Sky News published images of the packages, including the one that ignited. The photos show A4-size postal bags addressed to each destination.

In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed thanks to authorities for their handling of the situation and for "their swift actions to keep our city safe."

The Met Police have not ruled out the possibility of other packages. The U.K. Department for Transport encouraged citizens to report suspicious packages.</s>LONDON (Reuters) - Police were called to London’s Waterloo station and to a building near London City Airport on Tuesday after reports of suspicious packages being found, although services were running as normal.

“Police are responding to reports of a suspicious package, however the station is still opening and services are running,” British Transport Police said of the capital’s busiest mainline train station.

Police said officers were also called to London City Airport Aviation House. “Specialist officers are at the scene,” they said. “The building has been evacuated as a precaution. Enquiries are ongoing.”</s>LONDON (AP) — Britain’s counterterrorism police are investigating after three padded mailing bags containing small explosive devices were found near major transport hubs in London.

Police said smaller bags inside the mailers enclosed the devices that “appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened.”

Officials say the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command “is treating the incidents as a linked series.”

One mailer was found near Heathrow Airport. A building was evacuated as a precaution after the package was opened and part of it burned.

Officials say the building is not at the airport and flights at Britain’s busiest airport were not affected. There were no injuries.

Another mailer turned up near London’s City Airport, a much smaller airport, and the third in the mail room at busy Waterloo Station, a major rail and Underground hub. Those packages were not opened.

Waterloo Station was not evacuated, but a small cordon was put in place outside the station.

Officials say train services to City Airport were suspended as a precaution but have been restored and the building where the package was found was evacuated. Flights were not affected.

Police have advised all transport stations throughout Britain to “be vigilant” and to report any suspicious packages to police.

No arrests have been made and no individual or group has claimed responsibility.

The official terrorism threat level throughout Britain is set at “severe,” indicating that intelligence analysts believe an attack is highly likely.</s>London: Britain's counter terrorism police are investigating after three padded mailing bags with what appears to be small explosive devices inside were found at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo station.

Police said smaller bags inside the mailers enclosed the devices that "appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened".

According to officials, the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command "is treating the incidents as a linked series".

One mailer was found near Heathrow Airport. The building was evacuated as a precaution after the package was opened and part of it burned.

Officials said that the building is not at the airport and flights were not affected. There were no injuries were reported.

Another mailer turned up near City Airport, and the third in the mail room at Waterloo Station. The package at the rail station was not opened.

Firstpost is now on WhatsApp. For the latest analysis, commentary and news updates, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to Firstpost.com/Whatsapp and hit the Subscribe button.</s>British counter-terrorism police have launched an investigation after 3 small explosive packages were located near three major London transport hub.

Officials say the packages had been sent to buildings at or near the Heathrow Airport, the London City Airport, and the Waterloo train station.

At least one of the packages was said to have burst into flames when staff opened it, however, no one was injured in that incident.

The first package was delivered to a building near the Heathrow Airport around 9:55 am local time. When the staff opened the package, it immediately burst into flames. Authorities were then called to the Waterloo station at 11:40 am local time, in reference to a strange package that had been delivered to them. Staff members did not opened the package and officials were able to make the package safe.

Officials were notified about the third package 30 minutes later that was delivered to at City Aviation House, a building near London City Airport. Staff members reported the package but did not open it. Officials were able to also make that package safe.

All transportation hubs in the area have now been notified about what officials believe is a “linked series.”

Transportation in the area is running as scheduled despite being on alert.
Packages containing suspected improvised explosive devices are found near Heathrow Airport, London City Airport, and London Waterloo station in London, England.