Cordon lifted after Royal Navy bomb disposal team called to West Street, Fareham as shopping precinct is evacuated by police

HUNDREDS of shoppers in Fareham have been evacuated amid a bomb scare in the town centre.
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Bomb disposal experts from the Royal Navy have been scrambled to the West Street to tackle the ongoing situation.

Police have enforced a 100m cordon of the popular shopping district.

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It follows the discovery of a suspicious package, Hampshire Constabulary confirmed.

Bomb disposal officers from the navy pictured in Fareham. Picture: Stuart VaizeyBomb disposal officers from the navy pictured in Fareham. Picture: Stuart Vaizey
Bomb disposal officers from the navy pictured in Fareham. Picture: Stuart Vaizey

See our live blog below for more coverage of the incident

Footage from the scene shows hundreds of shoppers having been evacuated from the scene.

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Police were called just after 12pm and the cordon was lifted at around 4pm.

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LIVE UPDATES: Fareham town centre evacuated over suspect package

Key Events

  • Cordon lifted at 4pm
  • Royal Navy bomb disposal on scene
  • Hundreds of shoppers evacuated

Police were quick to get people to safety

Police on the cordon

Police are in Fareham manning the cordon. Picture: Stuart VaizeyPolice are in Fareham manning the cordon. Picture: Stuart Vaizey
Police are in Fareham manning the cordon. Picture: Stuart Vaizey

Police were called at 12.16pm

The incident is still playing out with police, firefighters and the ambulance service on scene. Royal Navy bomb disposal experts are there for the suspect package

'We were told to evacuate’

Jo Satherley, a member of the library staff, and Mandy Watmough, from the school library service, are waiting to see if they can go back in the library building, which is taped off. Speaking to our reporter Emily Turner, Jo said: 'We were told to evacuate, and we had to leave, although everyone's got what they need - wallets and keys. I just want to know what's going on.' Mandy added: 'I'm not feeling worried, but I would like to get in so I can close the windows properly.'

Delivery drivers stuck

Delivery driver Matt Hawkins said: 'We're trying to deliver meds to Boots, and we don't know how long we're going to have to wait.'

His colleague Steve Tucker added: 'I heard from my wife that there was a package reported in the precinct. I do understand, they've got to do the right thing. I think it will probably take a while.'

Left, Steve Tucker, and right, Matt HawkinsLeft, Steve Tucker, and right, Matt Hawkins
Left, Steve Tucker, and right, Matt Hawkins

David Lynn says: ‘All busses staring or terminating on Gosport Road opposite Fareham Creek.’David Lynn says: ‘All busses staring or terminating on Gosport Road opposite Fareham Creek.’
David Lynn says: ‘All busses staring or terminating on Gosport Road opposite Fareham Creek.’

Bomb disposal robot

RN bomb disposal robotRN bomb disposal robot
RN bomb disposal robot

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