Hundreds evacuated as bomb scare closes central Brighton streets

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from buildings in and around Queen’s Road, Brighton, because of a bomb scare.

The incident is believed to be linked to other similar bomb scares outside Army careers offices in Oxford, Aldershot, Chatham, Reading and Slough.

Sussex Police said: “At 10.40am today (Thursday 13 February) police were alerted to a suspicious package in Queen’s Road, Brighton.

“Queen’s Road was sealed off between North Road and North Street and neighbouring streets were also closed including Spring Gardens, Kew Street, Zion Gardens, Windsor Street, Tichborne Street and Church Street.

“An Army EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team has been called in to examine the package.”

Inspector James Davidson said: “A number of roads have been sealed off and some buildings are being evacuated while the package is investigated.

“I would ask people to stay away from the area for the next few hours while we deal with the incident.”

The South East Counter Terrorism Unit is currently investigating reports of a number of suspect packages found at Army Careers offices today.

The unit said: “The contents of the package are being assessed and MoD (Ministry of Defence) bomb disposal units have been called as is routine with any suspect package.

“The packages were found at Army careers offices in St Giles, Oxford, Queensmere Shopping Centre, Slough, and Queen’s Road, Brighton.

“Suspect packages were found at a number of Army Careers offices yesterday in Aldershot, Reading and Chatham.”

Detective Superintendent Stan Gilmour, of the South East Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “Because suspicious packages were found at various locations yesterday notes were sent out to all the Army careers offices as well as the Post Office asking staff to be extra vigilant and look out for any suspect packages.”