An investigation has been launched after two suspected improvised bombs were found in an empty flat in Harlesden.

Police were called to Craven park Road at 9.30am yesterday to reports that two suspicious devices had been found in an empty flat which is currently being refurbished.

Neighbours were evacuated from their homes and all local roads were closed so that officers could look over the two devices.

The initial assessment was that they were both improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Scotland Yard said.

The two devices were made safe and are now undergoing further forensic examination.

Cordons were lifted at 6pm and people returned to their homes after the whole area was deemed safe.

Detectives from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command are now leading the investigation into how and why the devices came to be there.

Chf Supt Simon Rose, of the North West Command Unit said: “I’d like to thank local residents in the area for their patience and understanding whilst we dealt with this incident.

“The public’s safety is our top priority, and I would like to pay tribute to the specialist officers who attended and were able to safely recover the devices.

“I also want to reassure the local community that we have carried out precautionary searches in the surrounding area to make sure there was nothing else of a similar nature nearby, which I’m pleased to confirm is the case.”

He added:“The next stage is to investigate how and why the two devices came to be in this flat and detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command will be leading this.

“I would ask anyone who might have information that could assist us to get in touch, either by calling 0800 789 321 or by calling Crimestoppers, which is completely anonymous.”

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.