The Met Police confirmed an unexploded shell was found yesterday afternoon in the grounds of Chelsea College of Arts on John Islip Street, Westminster. The discovery came around 3.45pm on December 1 and sparked swift action.
Road closures and evacuation
John Islip Street was shut in both directions. The entire college was evacuated as a safety precaution while bomb disposal teams rushed to the scene. The evacuation was captured on TikTok by user theroadtounemployment, showing the tense atmosphere outside the college.
Bomb squad declares shell safe
By 4.30pm, the Met’s bomb disposal unit had removed the shell and declared it safe. Police reopened the college and surrounding roads shortly after.
“Police were called at 15.44hrs on Monday, 1 December after an unexploded shell was discovered,” said a Met spokesperson. “John Islip Street was closed and the college evacuated. The ordnance was declared safe and removed shortly before 16.30hrs.”
Fire brigade clears up false alarm
Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade responded to an automatic fire alarm triggered at the same location. After a thorough check, no fire was found. The brigade was called at 4.57pm and cleared the scene by 5.04pm, with one fire engine attending from Lambeth Fire Station.
“Firefighters were called to an automatic fire alarm on John Islip Street in Westminster,” a spokesperson said. “No fire was found.”
The incident caused brief disruption but ended without injury or damage.
