500 people evacuated after suspicious package found in Portsmouth University building
CORDON A Police cordon is put in place in Portsmouth Guildhall. Picture: Andrew Wilson
POLICE sealed off an area of Portsmouth today after a suspicious package was found in a university building.
The alert was sparked after the item was found in the St Michael’s building of University of Portsmouth at 1pm today.
University security staff evacuated 500 staff and students and police cordoned off the area near the Guildhall on White Swan Road.
But shortly after 2.30pm the cordon was taken down and the area opened again.
The modern, silver St Michael’s building, which is close to James Watson student halls of residence where 500 undergraduates live, is where the university’s science faculty is based.
More than a dozen firefighters were called to the scene. The special equipment truck and two pumps from Cosham and one pump from Southsea fire stations were also tasked to stand-by while Hampshire police dealt with the situation.
Barry Saunders, 65, from Medina Road, Cosham, said: ‘I was in the library, came out to get back in my car and all this was kicking off.
‘They said there was some sort of suspect package and you can’t take any risks with something like that. You’ve got to make sure it’s safety first so I didn’t mind having to wait. I don’t think a traffic warden would dare put a ticket on my car in these circumstances.’
Sam Clark, 19, from Winter Road, a biochemistry student at King Henry building, which was also cordoned off, said: ‘It all happened about 15 minutes before I was due to hand in some work so I’ve had to wait, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I’m glad no-one’s hurt. I bet it was just some sloppy student who had left their bag there by mistake.’
A police spokesman said the package had been delivered and was intended for someone at the university but the labelling was not clear and gave cause for concern.
Inspector Phil Jones said: ‘I’d like to thank everyone for their patience. Luckily, there was nothing to worry about on this occasion. We took these measures to cordon off the area for everyone’s safety both at the university building and in the vicinity.’
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 19 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
snapdog
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 08:45 AM@rose tinted twit... really do not understand your playground mentality - reported your remark on the other thread calling people vile names is just so childish!
rose tinted twits
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 12:12 AMComment removed by moderator
snapdog
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 11:33 PM@15 as I said on the other thread you wrote on, sarcasm is the lowest form of wit!
espaniel
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 08:12 PM...Just checking among my fellow Saints if any of us has lost a wallet in Pompey...
rose tinted twits
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 06:11 PMit was a pot noodle and a toffee crisp wrapper, left by a student(probably ginger ) and they cordon off the road...........i hate students
bio00153
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:02 PMwell what if it was a jager bomb seaside pie, ey didnt think of that one
seasidepie
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:29 PMLatest news reports indicate that the parcel was actually a book but most students had never come across one before and panic ensued. A uni spokesperson said "Had it been a pint glass or bottle of vodka everybody would have realised it was a "friendly" package and the day would have gone on as normal."
Scumstomper.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:00 PMFalse alarm. It wasn't a bomb, just the huge document folder the council had mislaid detailing asylum figures for Portsmouth....
ZakirMHossain
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:44 PMI couldn't leave the office... the School manager let me out twice but the security and Police put me back to the office again. They said it's not safe. Finally, got out but was told can't go back today! Anyway, I'm at home now... of course safe! Best wishes who already out there... hope nothing unseen would happen!
IncredulousofSouthsea
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:31 PMSo it wasn't a bomb then? Placed in a random building down a side street? Funny that...
fattyhorniman
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:08 PMAll over now I understand.
JennyBean1992
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:59 PMRemind me to get my old English teacher to double check my spelling and grammar next time I'm locked in a building next to a suspected bomb... :)
fattyhorniman
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:56 PMJust keep away from the windows, draw the blinds and you'll be fine. I am at the back of Guildhall Walk overlooking the building and we are simply carrying on behind drawn blinds. It's the glass you need to contain. Keep calm and carry on!!
readingatwork
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:47 PMGreat come back Sam....I was thinking the same!
readingatwork
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:42 PMGreat come back sammmmmmead....was thinking the same
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