Huge cordon around busy UK shopping centre as people urged to stay away

Shoppers were evacuated from a busy shopping centre after a suspicious package was found. A huge cordon was erected around St Stephen's Shopping Centre in Hull while the police and bomb squad carried out investigaitons.

Transport links to the centre were been cut off due to the alarm. In a video on the social media site X, the shopping centre could be seen with lights flashing through the building as an alarm sounded.

Police said reports of a "suspicious package" emerged at around 6:20pm this evening and a cordon was put in place for the "safety of the public".

Police said: "Officers have issued a 200-metre safety cordon around St Stephens Shopping Centre on Ferensway in Hull following the discovery of a suspicious package at around 6:20pm today (Tuesday 18 February).

"The cordon is in place for the safety of the public whilst awaiting EOD to arrive at the scene to examine the item.

"Evacuations around the area have taken place and members of the public are asked to please avoid the area until we are able to advise otherwise."

Humberside Police said earlier: "Officers are currently in attendance at St Stephens shopping centre on Ferensway in Hull and road closures have been put in place on Ferensway, Anlaby Road, and Spencer Street to allow emergency services to work safely.

"Members of the public are advised to avoid the area at this time."

Stagecoach East Midlands confirmed there had been interruptions to its service with all buses unable to use the interchange..

The company said: "Due to an ongoing Police incident, all of our services are currently unable to serve the Interchange. Passengers will be alighted as close as possible to the Interchange. Please check our app for service updates."

Some services are now running, however.

National Rail also confirmed there were no trains running to or from Hull and said disruption is likely to be in place until the end of the day. It said: "The emergency services are dealing with an incident at Hull. As a result no trains are currently able to run to / from this station.

"Trains may be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until 22:00."

The issue also led performances of Mary and the Hyenas and The Contestant to be cancelled byt Hull Truck Theatre.

The theatre said: "Due to emergency services dealing with an incident in the Hull area, all services are currently unable to depart / arrive into the station. Emergency services and Network Rail staff are now on site."