Bomb scare shuts down centre of Truro

A PACKAGE originally suspected of posing a potential threat in Truro has been declared safe.

Bomb disposal experts arrived to deal with a reported suspicious package after part of the city centre was evacuated and sealed off.

Hundreds of shoppers were left wondering what was happening as police moved in and cordoened off much of Boscawen Street this morning.

Shops were also closed and emptied, with one worker telling the West Briton she was told officers were dealing with a "suspicious package" reported at the NatWest bank in St Nicholas Street at 10.10am. She said she was told the area would be closed off for at least two hours.

Devon and Cornwall Police advised drivers and pedestrians to avoid the area and confirmed: "We have received a report of a suspicious package at the NatWest bank in Truro.

"The bank has been evacuated whilst police enquiries are carried out and a 100m cordon has been put in place.

"Local road closures have been put in place but it is not known at present how long this will be for.

"The EOD (bomb disposal team) has been informed."

As of 12.30pm, a Royal Navy bomb disposal team had arrived and unloaded a robotic explosive dismantling device from its van in Boscawen Street.

By 1.40pm the police confirmed the item was established as "non-suspicious". It was said to be a camera.