The Potteries Centre in Stoke was placed under lockdown after a ’suspicious package’ was found - with witnesses reporting ’loads of people crying’ and hundreds told to leave the building
A shopping centre in Stoke was evacuated this evening, with more than 150 shoppers and staff ordered to leave by police - who had to enlist the help of a bomb squad.
The Potteries Centre in Hanley was placed under lockdown following an incident which left "loads of people crying", witnesses told StokeOnTrent Live. Staffordshire Police said they arrived on scene after reports of a "suspicious package" found inside the building, prompting them to evacuate those inside and erect a 100m cordon shortly after 4pm.
The package was described by one witness as a "large brown box" left on Town Road near the shopping centre’s entrance. A force spokesman said: "We are currently at the Potteries Centre on Town Road, Hanley, following reports of a suspicious package being found inside the shopping centre. We were called at 3.30pm this afternoon (Wednesday 5 February).
Police were reportedly telling shoppers to move after reports of a ’suspicious package’
"The shopping centre has been evacuated as a precaution and a 100m cordon is in place. Town Road has been closed. The Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) are providing advice to our officers. We will keep you updated."
One witness told StokeOnTrent Live: "The Potteries Centre is on lockdown. People are saying something has happened in one of the shops in Hanley. It’s bad, loads of people are crying." Another woman, who was among those told to evacuate, said: "The shopping centre in Hanley has been evacuated, there’s something going on in Town Road. About 150 people have been chucked out."
A third person said: "It’s a suspect package left on Town Road just outside the side doors to the centre. We have just been past and had to have to cordon lifted to get out as we were parked in the cordon area! It was a large brown box."
The Potteries Centre said they were "sorry for any disruption caused" and were hoping to re-open soon. A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that The Potteries Centre has been evacuated due to a police incident. The police are investigating and we will update you as soon as we have further information. We’re sorry for any disruption caused and hope that we’ll be back to business as usual very soon.”
Staffordshire Police later said they had lifted the cordon after the package was found to be non-suspicious. A spokesman said: "We have lifted the cordon at the Potteries Centre in Hanley after a package was found to be non-suspicious and deemed as no risk to the public. Officers attended the scene and a cordon was put in place as a safety precaution.
"The Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team provided advice to us. Surrounding roads have now reopened. Officers would like to thank members of the public for their patience and support while this incident was dealt with."
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