Metropolitan Police have urged the public to avoid Kensington Gardens whilst investigators examine several unidentified objects discovered within the Royal Park, prompting a full closure of the popular London green space.
Cordons have been established preventing access to the gardens and surrounding areas as officers wearing protective clothing conduct their examination of what authorities described as “a number of discarded items” found on the grounds.
An eyewitness reported observing forensics personnel positioned near the bandstand in the central section of the park, though police have not disclosed the precise nature or location of the materials under investigation.
The Met Police sought to allay public alarm over the deployment of officers in specialist protective equipment, acknowledging the presence of such personnel may generate concern amongst local residents and the broader community.
“We do not believe there to be any increased public safety risk at this stage, but we would urge people to avoid the area while officers carry out their work,” a force spokesman stated, characterising the protective measures as precautionary rather than indicative of immediate danger.
The closure represents a significant disruption to one of central London’s most frequented outdoor spaces, which typically attracts substantial visitor numbers particularly during spring weather. The gardens form part of the Royal Parks estate and are situated adjacent to Kensington Palace.
Authorities have not provided an estimated timeframe for when normal access might resume, with the duration of the closure dependent upon the completion of investigative procedures and any subsequent assessment of the discovered materials.
The decision to deploy forensics teams and specialist protective equipment suggests police are treating the matter with considerable caution, though the absence of public safety warnings beyond the area exclusion indicates investigators have not identified an active threat to the wider population.
Metropolitan Police have not released information regarding whether the items appear connected to criminal activity, represent potential hazardous materials, or fall into another category requiring specialist examination.
The force’s statement emphasised the precautionary nature of the protective clothing deployment whilst maintaining that current intelligence does not suggest elevated risk to public safety beyond the immediate investigation zone.
Members of the public seeking to visit Kensington Gardens are advised to monitor official Metropolitan Police channels and Royal Parks communications for updates regarding when access restrictions will be lifted and normal operations restored to the historic parkland.
