Horse Guards Parade in central London was evacuated following reports of a ‘suspicious vehicle’, with armed police attending the scene
Updated 17:27, 22 May 2026
Horse Guards Parade in central London was evacuated following reports of a “suspicious vehicle”.
The parade ground was closed and armed police were at the scene on Friday afternoon. People were advised by police not to enter St James’ Park, which is adjacent to the parade ground.
A Metropolitan Police statement said officers received reports of a suspicious car but have since confirmed it to be “non-suspicious”.
Horse Guards Parade is the site of Trooping the Colour, held in June for the Kings official birthday.
Congestion in area after evacuation
Horse Guards Parade was briefly evacuated following reports of a “suspicious car”.
The Metropolitan Police said officers attended the scene and determined the vehicle to be “non-suspicious”. There is congestion on the roads surrounding the area.
Congestion on the roads surrounding Horse Guards Parade(Image: Google Maps)
Met Police statement
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said officers received reports of a suspicious car but have since deemed it “non-suspicious”.
Number of important buildings nearby
The Horse Guards building is situated on the parade ground.
Dover House. the Cabinet and Privy Council Offices, and No. 10 Downing Street are next to Horse Guards.
Nearby buildings include the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Foreign Office, Cabinet War Rooms and Palace of Westminster.
Map shows location of Horse Guards Parade
Horse Guards Parade is in central London, located between Whitehall and St. James’ Park.
People advised not to enter St James’ Park
People are being advised by police not to enter St James’ Park, according to reports.
‘Horseguards Parade evacuated by armed police’
Tony Diver, a political editor at The Telegraph, wrote on X: “Horseguards Parade has been evacuated by armed police, who say there is a suspicious package in the area.”
In an update, he said: “Cabinet War rooms also evacuated due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ and King Charles St closed to traffic.”
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