UPDATE: Man, 20, arrested after '˜suspicious object' is found at student halls in Portsmouth city centre

A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested after a '˜suspicious object' was discovered at a block of student halls in Portsmouth.
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Police were called to a report of a ‘suspicious object’ at Catherine House in Stanhope Road, at 4.18pm on Thursday afternoon.

Police set up a cordon around the building before an explosive ordnance disposal team carried out a controlled explosion of the object in Victoria Park shortly after 9.30pm.

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While emergency services worked at the scene, Catherine House was evacuated – but the cordon was lifted and students were allowed back into the block just before 10.30pm.

A police car parked outside Catherine House in Stanhope Road, Portsmouth, earlier tonight. Picture: Byron MeltonA police car parked outside Catherine House in Stanhope Road, Portsmouth, earlier tonight. Picture: Byron Melton
A police car parked outside Catherine House in Stanhope Road, Portsmouth, earlier tonight. Picture: Byron Melton

No one was injured in the incident and police have confirmed all students are safe.

In a statement, Hampshire Constabulary said there is not believed to be any wider or ongoing threat to the public.

Police are now carrying out enquiries and the 20-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident is currently in custody.

Officers are not expected to comment further overnight.