Shopping centre in Derby remains closed as bomb squad continue to investigate a ‘suspicious package’ found yesterday evening
- A Derby shopping centre closed overnight after reports of a ‘suspicious package’
- A bomb disposal team were called to Intu Derby after the reports on Friday night
- Diners were forced on the streets as the centre was evacuated at around 7pm
- Derbyshire Police said the venue will reopen as soon as the incident is dealt with
A shopping centre in Derby will remain closed overnight following reports that a ‘suspicious package’ was found, police said.
Derbyshire Police said the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team were at Intu Derby to deal with an ‘ongoing incident’ on Friday night.
Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area as the investigation expected to continue.
The shopping centre was evacuated yesterday evening amid reports of a suspicious package.
Intu Derby shopping centre will remain closed overnight after reports of a ‘suspicious package’ on Friday evening led to the venue being evacuated
Derbyshire Police said the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team were at Intu Derby to deal with an ‘ongoing incident’ on Friday night
An Army bomb disposal unit was called to the scene as restaurants and leisure venues were evacuated at around 7pm.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service were also in attendance, with dozens of diners being forced out into the surrounding streets.
Although the shops were closed at the time, restaurants, a cinema, mini-golf and a bowling alley operate late into the evening.
One visitor, Zoe Gusta, said: ‘Up to a hundred people were evacuated from the Intu Derby shopping centre at around 7pm. The area is currently surrounded by police vans.’
Traffic Street has been closed between the Royal Telegraph pub and Cockpit Island.
A Derbyshire Police spokesman said: ‘Derbyshire Police are dealing with an ongoing incident and the shopping centre will open up as soon as it’s dealt with.
‘As per the previous statement, there’s no further news at this stage.’
Diners were forced out onto the streets at around 7pm on Friday and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service were also spotted in attendance outside Intu
Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area and Traffic Street has been closed between the Royal Telegraph pub and Cockpit Island
Ben Townsend, of Chellaston, was having a meal with his girlfriend at TGI Fridays when an alarm sounded just after 7pm.
Mr Townsend, 32, said: ‘We were just eating our meal and then the alarm went off and we were told to get out of the Intu.
‘I thought it was a fire alarm but with all the police I don’t know what it could be. I don’t think there’s much chance of us going back to our meal now.’
People on social media have said that many who were evacuated are still unable to return to get their cars, which remain cordoned off.
The earliest time people can get back to their cars is after midnight, according to Derbyshire Live.
Amy Spencer, 24, who was eating at Wagamama with friends, said: ‘It was pretty scary with everyone coming out of Intu together – they didn’t tell us anything and we thought it was a fire alarm.
‘The restaurant closes at 9pm I think so we’re just going to go home. I’m just glad we didn’t park in the car park.’