Suspicious packages were found near London’s major transport hubs of Heathrow Airport, Waterloo station and London City Airport, prompting Britain’s counterterrorism police to launch an investigation.

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 Metropolitan Police said.

The Met Police has issued advice to transport hubs across London to be vigilant for and report suspicious packages to police, after all three packages were found near major transport hubs of Heathrow Airport, Waterloo station and London City Airport.

Met Police received a report of a suspicious package at the Compass Centre, Nelson Road, Hounslow, near Heathrow Airport. The package was opened by staff at the building, causing the device to initiate. This resulted in part of the package burning.

Train services are continuing to operate as normal.  No one was injured and the building was evacuated as a precaution. The met Police said that specialist officers attended and made the device safe. The building remains closed as enquiries continue. However, no flights were affected by the incident.