UK On Security High Alert After Double City Evacuation In Wake Of Tunisia Attack

The UK was on security red alert today - as two cities held evacuations in the wake of the Tunisia beach attack.

Part of Exeter city centre was evacuated due to suspect packages, while South Kensington tube station in central London was also cordoned off over fears of a 'grenade'.

The national threat level is already high a week before the tenth anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings, where 56 people died.

Security forces are being extra vigilant around the UK in the aftermath of last week's Tunisian beach shooting, where up to 30 Britons lost their lives.

In Exeter, two suspicious packages were found this morning - one on the railings of a primary school.

Police were called to St Sidwell's Primary School in Exeter at 6.55am when the school's caretaker found the package and saw wires when he looked inside.

The school was evacuated and closed, with children taken to a nearby chapel and church before being collected by their parents.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: 'A full multi-agency response to the incident is now in progress involving police, bomb disposal experts, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, South West Ambulance Service and Devon County Council.

'Police would ask people to avoid the area if at all possible and not drive into Exeter City Centre.'

A second suspicious package was discovered at a car park on nearby King William Street at 9.15am - resulting in additional road closures and the evacuation of local properties.

Headteacher Kathryn Rowden said children were evacuated to a nearby park, then St Sidwell's Chapel and then to St Matthew's Church as the cordon was widened.

By 10am, only one of the 200 pupils and 42 nursery children's parents had not been contacted and collected them.

'Obviously our first thoughts were for the safety of the children and staff,' Miss Rowden said.

'Our staff did an excellent job in evacuating the children quickly and efficiently.'

In the capital, South Kensington tube station was evacuated and a police cordon put up due to a 'security alert'.

Several people posted on social media that a sighting of a 'grenade' or 'explosive' sparked the alert.

The incident briefly shut down the entire Circle Line and part of the District Line between Embankment and Earl's Court.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said officers attended the station after receiving a call at 1.15pm, but determined that the package found was not suspicious.