Man arrested after armed officers and snipers were called to report ‘suspicious package’ in West Sussex
- Officers surrounded Burgess Hill police station in West Sussex this afternoon
- It came after a suspicious package was reported at the police station
- Snipers were placed on nearby rooftops and bomb disposal teams were called in
- The public was advised not to visit the area and a cordon of 100 meters was erected
- Police later said a man had been arrested and ‘suspicious package’ destroyed
A man has been arrested after armed police, bomb disposal teams and snipers descended on a West Sussex police station when a suspicious package was discovered this afternoon.
Officers surrounded Burgess Hill police station in West Sussex after receiving a call at 1:48 p.m. with an unidentified package.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams immediately set up a perimeter of 100 meters around the station to prevent any injuries in the event of an unexpected explosion, as firefighters, armed police and paramedics also arrived on the scene.
Snipers were also positioned on nearby rooftops and vantage points close to the station, suggesting concerns that the package could be terror-related.
Crowds gathered to watch officers assess the situation and talk to people after the incident, with some crews staying on the scene for several hours.
The cordon remained in place until Thursday evening, before Sussex police confirmed that a bomb disposal unit had ‘successfully destroyed the suspicious package’.
A police spokesman said: ‘A man was arrested this afternoon after a suspicious package was reported in The Brow, Burgess Hill.
“A cordon remains in place while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service assesses the situation.”
“We can now confirm that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service successfully destroyed the suspicious package found earlier today in The Brow, Burgess Hill.
‘The final searches are being carried out before the cordon can be lifted. Thank you for your patience and understanding.’
Explosive ordnance disposal teams immediately set up a 100m perimeter around the station to prevent any injuries in the event of an unexpected explosion as firefighters, armed police and paramedics also arrived on the scene
Snipers have been placed on several buildings near the police station, raising fears that the threat may be terrorist-related
Emergency services had previously warned that roads in the surrounding areas were likely to remain closed for some time and that there was “increased police presence in the area.”
A police spokesman said: ‘On Thursday (July 28), police responded to a report of a suspicious package at The Brow, Burgess Hill at 1:48 pm.
‘The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service has been on site and has created a barrier of 100 meters.
“Some roads in the area are likely to be closed for some time and there is more police presence in the area.
“The public is urged to avoid the site while the incident is being dealt with.”
The West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service echoed the police statement in a post via Twitter, which confirmed they were assisting officers with an ‘ongoing incident’ in Burgess Hill and advised the public to avoid the area while the investigation continues.
But some local residents who were too close to the area were told to stay put and remain calm.
A citizen posted on the public Burgess Hill Uncovered Facebook page around 3:30 p.m.: ‘I’m stuck in the operating room, windows and doors are locked.
“We have no idea what’s going on.”
Kitty Bowles, who was also at the local doctor’s office, told SussexLive: “I came out of my clinic at 2:55pm for my appointment and was told we weren’t allowed to leave because there was a serious threat outside.
“We were told to close doors and windows and stay out of sight. I kept asking what was going on as I was the only patient in the building. Nobody knew anything.’