The shopping centre was evacuated at around 10am this morning (August 30), when emergency services were dealing with the incident while all visitors and staff were escorted away from the building.
Just after 12.30pm today, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that The Glades has now reopened.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “The Glades Shopping Centre is now reopening following a police investigation into an incident inside.
“Thank you to PD Sirius and other emergency services in attendance for their assistance.”
The Glades Shopping Centre is now reopening following a police investigation into an incident inside. Thank you to PD Sirius and other emergency services in attendance for their assistance. pic.twitter.com/TsDqT3d2NJ
— South Area – Bromley MPS (@MPSBromley) August 30, 2024
Pictures from the scene of the incident show a police cordon blocking off the building and crowds of people stood outside.
Sniffer dogs and London Fire Brigade were also at the scene.
Natasha Fountain, who works at the Glades, told the News Shopper: “All the alarms went off.
“We were told to get outside. The area has been evacuated.
“It’s something like out of a film.
“I can’t get into my car. My belongings are in there but I can’t get to it.
“We’ve been told it’ll be closed for some time now.”