MALL EVACUATION
Major shopping centre EVACUATED & huge cordon in place after ‘suspicious package’ found inside as bomb disposal swoop in
The public have been instructed to avoid the area
A SUSPICIOUS package has been found inside a major shopping centre in Hull - sparking a full evacuation.
Authorities are said to have dispatched a bomb squad and set up a 200-metre safety cordon around St Stephens Shopping Centre.
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An evacuation was made and people have been urged to avoid going near the area.
The suspicious package was located at the centre around 6.20pm on Tuesday, Humberside Police confirmed shortly before 9pm.
In a statement, the force said: "Officers have issued a 200-metre safety cordon around St Stephens Shopping Centre on Ferensway in Hull following the discovery of a suspicious package at around 6.20pm today.
"The cordon is in place for the safety of the public whilst awaiting EOD to arrive at the scene to examine the item.
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"Evacuations around the area have taken place and members of the public are asked to please avoid the area until we are able to advise otherwise."
Footage shared on social media shows a white bomb disposal unit arriving at the taped-off scene.
Police and firefighter units have attended the scene with those inside the station praising the work of responders.
Taking on Facebook, one said: "Was evacuated 2 hours ago and my cars stuck in st stevens, but the police response time was amazing, they had st stevens completely empty in under 5 minutes."
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Another added: "I was there we got evacuated from St Stephens very calmly it was more like a practice run... then booked train home...then that got evacuated.
"Home now but all cornerd [sic] off everywhere."
The evacuation has caused travel chaos in the region with road closures and train delays and cancellations.
No services have been able to run to or from Hull station since the time that the package was located.
Underneath the police statement, one Facebook user said: "Thanks for the update. I'm stranded on a train from London."
"Train not cancelled but there’s a long queue of trains from all over that can’t get into Hull," they added.
"We are sitting waiting in Doncaster until we get the all clear."
Transpennine Express released a statement around 8.30pm announcing that "all lines are blocked" as "the emergency services deal with an incident."
It added that the disruption is expected to continue until 10pm with a rail replacement bus service requested for select routes.
"Due to road closures in the vicinity of Hull station, there may be a delay in road transport arriving and departing," the company .
"Once services resume you can also travel on Northern Services between Hull and Leeds in both directions."
Meanwhile Network Rail which initially said disruption would last until 10pm has since provided an update saying it will continue until the end of the day.
It said: "The emergency services are dealing with an incident at Hull. As a result no trains are currently able to run to / from this station.
"Trains will be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 60 minutes.
"Major disruption is expected until the end of the day."
At around 11.30pm, Humberside Police confirmed that the cordon had been lifted and all roads reopened.
No safety issues or concerns were found after examining the package.
Senior Investigating Officer Superintendent Phil Booker said: “Whilst incidents of this nature remain rare in our area, I appreciate it will have understandably caused fear and alarm amongst the local community, and we would like to thank everyone for their patience whilst the incident was dealt with.
“I can confirm that whilst there is no credible threat, and the item has been disposed of, a cordon does remain in place within St Stephens Shopping Centre at this time for evidential purposes, and to allow emergency services to safely conclude their enquiries.
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“The item discovered was a cause for concern at the time and had to be examined by specialists to ensure it was appropriately handled and dealt with, so not to cause any risk or threat to the public.
“I want to thank all our residents and those in the local area for their patience, assistance and understanding, as we have to take all reports of this nature seriously and all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our communities."
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