News from around the county Wartime explosive uncovered in shop
Police evacuated high street businesses after a wartime shell was handed in at a charity shop.
Officers were called to Sevenoaks High Street at around 10.45am on Tuesday – the scene of another bomb scare in 2016.
A cordon was put in place and the Santander bank and nearby shops were evacuated.
A spokesman said: “After analysis of the device, it was found that the item is not a threat to the public.
“The cordon has been stood down and staff have been allowed to return to their shops.”
Police tweeted earlier: “We have been dealing with an incident in the High Street, Sevenoaks this morning.
“There is no need to be concerned, further details will be provided shortly. We expect to be away from the area shortly.”
The police activity mirrors scenes from February 2016, when businessman Reginald Esqualant caused panic after placing a fake bomb at the bank.
Esqualant, from Harrietsham, was convicted of blackmail and jailed for three years and four months in December that year.
Maidstone Crown Court heard he committed the bizarre crime, trying to extort money from Santander Bank, because he was heavily in debt.
The bank and surrounding area in Sevenoaks were evacuated after he handed over a letter in which he threatened to explode the device if the cash was not paid.
Esqualant claimed he only wanted to speak to the manager about threatening letters and telephone calls he had been receiving about a missing mortgage payment of £2,196.
The 74-year-old father of three insisted he had no intention of getting money from the bank and just wanted to confront the manager and ask how he would like it if he received threatening letters.