Suspicious package forces bridge closure
THE High Level Bridge in Newcastle was closed for several hours after a “suspicious package” was found.
Police were called to the scene at around 11.45am yesterday and sealed off the bridge.
Eyewitness Sophia Harris said there was “panic” as people were told to get back to a safe distance.
She said: “In a split second, the police came towards us and told us we were going to have to move off the bridge.
“When we came down we told everyone to go back because the bridge was getting shut.
“You could see the panic on people’s faces wondering what was happening.
“But the adrenaline was running because, what’s going on?”
Police gathered at both sides of the bridge as it was sealed off to pedestrians and vehicles.
Pedestrians had to be turned away and were asked to find another route across, while services to Newcastle Central Station were also disrupted.
Specialist officers carried out a full assessment of the package before removing it from the scene at around 1.30pm.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said the package was not a threat to the public.
They added: “A full assessment of the package has been carried out by specialist officers and it has now been removed from the scene.
“As a result, the bridge is now reopened to pedestrians, vehicles and the rail network.
“Police would like to reassure the public that the item seized did not pose any threat to members of the public.
“Officers will still be carrying out enquiries to identify how the package came to be on the bridge and the area where it was found will remain cordoned off.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log 398 of August 15.
EYEWITNESS DESCRIBES ‘PANIC’ AS POLICE CLEAR AREA