Cordon lifted after 'suspicious packages' reported
Luke Deal/BBCSuspicious packages that prompted a large-scale evacuation of a town centre posed "no risk to the public" after they turned out to be "training aids", it has been confirmed.
Emergency services were called to St Andrew's Street North, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, after packages were found by staff at Triton House, which is used by HM Revenue & Customs.
The alarm was raised at about 10:00 GMT before the building, home to the County Court and Family Court and Regional Divorce Centre, was evacuated, alongside residential properties and a bus station.
After an investigation by Suffolk Police, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, and an explosive ordnance disposal unit, it was established the devices were not dangerous.
Luke Deal/BBCFollowing the initial reports of the packages, a 100m (330ft) cordon was put in place and some surrounding roads were closed, with drivers and pedestrians being urged to avoid the area.
A spokesperson for Suffolk Police said: "A police cordon in Bury St Edmunds has been lifted.
"Enquiries established the suspicious packages were training aids with no risk to the public, with the calls to emergency services made in good faith.
"Police would like to thank members for the public for their patience and understanding while emergency services carried out enquiries and cordons and closures were in place."
The BBC has asked police for more details about the "training aids" that prompted the alert.
The force clarified that they were devices for "internal training" but declined to provide any more information.
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