Suspect Package in Dunstable

19 February 2010, 11:03 | Updated: 19 February 2010, 15:18

14.55 Statement from Beds Police

Bedfordshire Police were called to a building site in Dunstable this morning at 7.46am after receiving a report of a suspicious package being found.

Police were alerted by employees who arrived for work at the building site in Station Road. Road closures together with a 200m cordon were put in to place while the package was examined by the bomb squad.

Police and partner agencies moved thirty residents to temporary accommodation whilst the package was confirmed as safe. The residents were allowed to return to their homes and road closures were removed at 12.30pm.

A full investigation has been launched in to the circumstance surrounding how the package came to be on the site and officers remain at the scene completing a full forensic examination of the package.

Police are keen to speak with members of the public who may have noticed unusual activity on the site over night.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector John Harwood, said: "This incident has caused major disruption to the residents and motorists in the area and we shall be carrying out a full investigation in to the circumstances surrounding today's events. Police are keeping an open mind as to whether this incident is connected to a previous allegation of a petrol bomb being thrown at this site earlier in the week but we shall be liaising with local councils to find out if they have received any further reports of criminal damage."

He continued: "I would urge anyone who has seen any suspicious activity in this area to contact the police and help with this investigation."

Anyone with information can contact Bedfordshire Police on 01234 841212, or text 07786 200011, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

13.50

Police saying the roads in the area are now re-opening and they are carryingout a forensic examination of the package. We're told it's NOT a World War 2 bomb

11.55

Police are now saying the Bomb Squad have arrived in Dunstable and are dealing with the suspect package.

More as we get it.

11.00

Big problems on the roads around Dunstable right now. Just spoken to the police who've confirmed they are dealing with a suspect package on the A505 Church Street between the A5 High Street North and Eastern Avenue.

We're told the Bomb Sqaud are on the way. A 200 metre exclusion zone has been put up by the police and houses and businesses within that area have been evacuated.

More as we get it.