Suitcase Sparked Security Alert in Southampton

If you were caught up in the disruption in ‪#‎Southampton‬ this morning, then this is what Police were confronted with when they  responded to a report of a suspicious package at the National Express coach station, Harbour Parade in Southampton. After an inspection by  front Police officers, specialist units were dispatched and a multi-agency response was coordinated. People were evacuated from nearby buildings and the area was cordoned off.   The package was declared safe shortly afterwards and the cordon and road closures were immediately stood down. It turned out that it had been left there by accident by a member of the public, and was a genuine mistake. A Police Spokesman said “We don’t take the decision to impose a cordon and evacuate buildings lightly; and we want to use this opportunity to remind people of the importance of not abandoning suitcases or other bags or packages in busy urban areas or transport hubs.