A number of houses in Catford were evacuated on Sunday night (November 29) after a serious incident saw a large police presence attend in south east London.

Residents reported being told to leave their homes "for their own protection" as "lots of police and sniffer dogs" visited the scene close to Catford Bridge Station.

Over a dozen people were directed to a nearby car park by the Lidl without being told a reason whilst police dealt with the incident.

Residents described the experience as "really scary," and is wasn't until past midnight when they were allowed back into their homes.

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Met Police have now explained that the reason for the evacuation was a suspicious item found at a address on Nelgrade Road.

A number of officers were called to the scene at 11pm to investigate and residents were evacuated as a safety precaution before the item was established as safe.

A Met spokesperson said: "Police were called at approximately 22:55hrs on Sunday, 29 November to reports of a suspicious item at an address in Nelgarde Road, SE6.

"Officers attended and a number of residential addresses were evacuated as a precaution.

"Following an assessment the item was deemed non-suspicious and all residents were returned to their homes.

"No arrests."