Bomb squad called to Highfields street after ‘suspicious’ package …
Bomb squad officials were called to Highfields after a suspicious item[1] was discovered in a bin. The incident prompted a major cordon across several streets lasting more than 12 hours.
The incident happened on Monday afternoon (October 2) when at around 1.40pm police were called to Saxby Street, off the A6 London Road in Leicester’s Highfields[2] after a package described as “suspicious” was found in a bin. An immediate cordon was put in place around Saxby Street as investigations got underway.
A bomb squad team from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD)[3] were then called to the scene where they raised concerns about the package. An extended cordon, covering neighbouring Tichborne Street and Gotham Street was then put in place with police preventing access to homes and businesses in the area.
Despite the major cordon, a spokesman for Leicestershire Police said no homes were evacuated during the incident. Police and the EOD team were at the scene for several hours.
During this time, the package was further examined by the EOD team. They went on to deem that the suspicious item was “not a viable explosive device”. Further tests then took place, with Saxby Street remaining closed for some time.
Tichborne Street and Gotham Street were reopened by 11.15pm on Monday night, with Saxby Street later reopened at around 2am on Tuesday morning (October 3). Investigations are ongoing according to officers.
In a statement, Leicestershire Police[5] said: “Police were called to Saxby Road at 1.40pm yesterday (Monday, October 2) following a report of a suspicious package had been found inside a bin. Officers attended and an immediate cordon was put in place.
“No residents were evacuated and police would like to reassure people that there was no risk to the public. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”
References
- ^ suspicious item (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Highfields (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Drunk woman leaps on man's back before kicking and racially abusing police officers (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Leicestershire Police (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)