Suspicious package creates scare at Cambridge Analytica

The Cambridge Analytica head office in London was evacuated Thursday afternoon amid reports of the delivery of a suspicious package.

Police led staff out of the building and cordoned off the street. The London Fire Brigade were also called to the scene.

Photos posted on social media platforms, showed heavy police presence along with some sniffer dogs.

"Police responded to reports of a suspicious package at a building in New Oxford Street at 13:26hrs today. Officers attended. The package was assessed. It was deemed not to be suspicious. Police cordons have now been removed. The public are thanked for their cooperation," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Cambridge Analytica has come under intense focus and scrutiny after it was revealed that the firm had collected private information from up to 50 million Facebook profiles.

These allegations were further exposed after undercover investigations by British newspaper and TV channel, the Observer and Channel 4, as well the New York Times. It was reported this information was used to influence the U.S. presidential election in 2016 in favor of Donald Trump.

CEO Alexander Nix was suspended earlier this week after the embattled firm launched an investigation of its own.

U.K. authorities are awaiting a legal permit to enter Cambridge Analytica's headquarters to further their investigation into the firm's unauthorized breach of data.