Residents near the North Korean embassy in Ealing were evacuated from their homes while police carried out a controlled explosion.

Gunnserbury Avenue was closed after a “suspicious item” was found near Kim Jong Un's British-based embassy in a seven-bedroom residential house on Monday (September 25) night.

Hours later, a controlled explosion took place.

Police confirmed they were called on Monday September 25 to a report of a suspicious item at 7.52pm, outside an address in Gunnersbury Avenue, Ealing.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
Kim Jong Un's British-based embassy is a residential home in Ealing

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Officers attended along with other emergency services.

"Road closures were put in place and nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution.

"A controlled explosion took place at around 9.28pm.

"The item was found to be non-suspicious."

The North Korean Embassy in Gunnersbury Avenue, London, W5

The embassy was previously a subject of controversy after a diplomat defected, spurring warnings that North Korea could be plotting assassinations and kidnappings .

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