Authorities have issued updates on the situation after the discovery of a bomb caused evacuations in Kingston today (May 23).

As the Surrey Comet reported throughout Thursday, Met Police, fire crews and personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) all attended the scene near Kingston University (KU)'s Penrhyn Road campus, between Penrhyn Road and Fassett Road in Kingston, after a bomb was discovered at a building site in the area.

Witnesses and evacuees described "hundreds" of people being evacuated, while Kingston MPS confirmed the bomb was ordnance dating from the Second World War.

The borough police force helped construct a perimeter between 400m and 500m in the surrounding area from which hundreds of people were evacuated during the day.

By around 4.15pm, Met Police posted a more comprehensive update.

They confirmed that the cordons would remain in place until at least 4pm on Friday, May 24.

A spokesperson for the Met said: "The item has been examined by specialist officers and we are continuing to seek the assistance of the MoD and other emergency services including the London Fire Brigade. Officers are at the scene and cordons remain in place.

"We have now been advised that these cordons will remain in place until at least 16:00hrs tomorrow, Friday, 24 May.

"Roads within the cordons include: Penryhn Road, Beaufort Road, Beaufort Place, Fassett Road, Grove Lane, Grove Crescent, Bloomfield Road and Linkford Avenue. There will continue to be an impact on local residents and traffic in the area."

Meanwhile, Surrey County Hall in Kingston, near to the site of the found ordnance, was also evacuated during the afternoon.

Surrey County Council (SCC) urged residents to go online if they needed to contact the Council or use services at the site.

SCC said: "The contact centre closed early today (Thursday 23 May) due to the evacuation of County Hall in Kingston.

"We are unable to answer the telephone at present, so please use our online services wherever possible.

"If you have immediate concerns for the safety of a vulnerable adult or child, please dial 999 to report the matter to the emergency services."

London Fire Brigade in Kingston (LFB) meanwhile confirmed they were on site and cooperating with their partner services.

"#Kingston firecrews are at the scene of the WW2 [unexploded bomb] UXB supporting our partner agencies and answering any calls within the exclusion area #teamworkm," Kingston LFB said on Twitter.

Kingston MPS for their part released a full comprehensive list of the roads in the area affected.

"Roads currently affected (either closed to cars or being evacuated) are as follows:

  • Fassett Rd
  • Grove Cres
  • Grove Lane
  • Beaufort Rd
  • Penrhyn Rd
  • Lingfield Ave
  • Cranes Park Cres
  • Cranes Park Ave
  • Villiers Rd
  • Springfield Rd
  • Denmark Rd
  • Springfield Cl
  • Geneva Rd
  • Southsea Rd
  • Surbiton Hill Road (junction with St. Mark’s Hill closed)
  • Surbiton Road (junction with Maple Road)
  • Anglesea Road (junction with Portsmouth Road)
  • Palace Road (junction with Portsmouth Road)"

Kingston Council (RBK) worked to coordinate with residents in the area in efforts to help mitigate any disruption.

RBK advised Thursday afternoon that the Richard Mayo Centre on Eden Street had been designated as an evacuation centre for people who have been asked to leave their homes and offices.

RBK also offered the following contact line — 0208 547 5800 — from 5pm for those affected. The number will be serviced 24/7.

To read the Surrey Comet's full report of the event, go to: www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/17659637.kingston-university-evacuates-staff-and-students-on-penrhyn-road-campus-as-met-police-seek-help-from-mod/