A controlled explosion has been carried out and a shopping centre in Lancaster evacuated after a suspicious package was discovered early on Monday morning.
Lancashire Police confirmed that specialist bomb disposal teams were called to St Nicholas Arcades after receiving reports of a suspicious item near a property shortly after 6:30 am.
Officers swiftly set up a cordon around Lancaster Gate and advised members of the public to avoid the area while investigations were carried out.
A police spokesperson said at 10:45 am that the incident remained ongoing, with a statement adding: “Colleagues from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team are on their way and we ask people to avoid the area as a precaution.”
Shortly before midday, the force announced that bomb disposal experts had safely conducted a controlled explosion.
Fortunately, it was later determined that the item posed no threat to public safety. Officers have launched an investigation into how the package came to be located there.
Following the incident, road closures were lifted and St Nicholas Arcades, known locally as ‘St Nics’, reopened to shoppers just after 11 am. The centre apologised for any inconvenience caused during the precautionary evacuation.
St Nicholas Arcades is regarded as a key retail destination in Lancaster, attracting around four million visitors annually, according to Visit Lancashire.
