The Imperial War Museum in Kennington, London, was evacuated on the afternoon of March 10 after a visitor brought suspected World War II ordnance into the museum.

The incident prompted a swift response from the Metropolitan Police, who were alerted around 2:20 PM to reports of a man carrying military items, including the suspected ordnance.

In reaction to the potential safety threat, emergency services attended the scene, and the museum was temporarily closed while an assessment was conducted.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the situation had been contained and the incident was subsequently stood down.

An official from the Imperial War Museum stated that the evacuation occurred at 2:45 PM, following the police request due to the presence of a Second World War era object brought in by a member of the public.

The museum's operations were paused during the police response, but it has since reopened to visitors.

By the following day, the Imperial War Museum resumed normal operations, welcoming back patrons without further incident.

The exact nature of the items brought into the museum remains undisclosed, although 'ordnance' can encompass a variety of military materials, including both weapons and artillery.

The museum's collection includes numerous artifacts from the World War II era, emphasizing its role in preserving and interpreting military history.