Canterbury city centre closed after suspect package found

Trains stopped and number of roads closed, as police deal with second incident after small fire discovered Part of a historic city centre has been closed off by police after a suspect package was found near a railway line. Trains have been stopped in Canterbury, Kent, and a number of roads closed after a member of the public reported the package in Old Dover Road just after 4.20pm. Kent police said they were also dealing with a second incident where a small fire had been discovered in a Marks & Spencer stores in St George’s Street. It is not known at this stage what caused it and officers remain at the scene, which was attended by firefighters. A police spokeswoman said: “At the present time we are unable to say whether the incidents are linked. There have been no reported injuries. “People are advised to avoid the city centre and drivers are asked to seek alternative routes.” St George’s Street and part of Old Dover Road have been closed while the bus station, Rose Square and the Marlowe Arcade have been evacuated, she added. She said officers from British Transport police are also in attendance, along with army bomb disposal experts. Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Hogben said: “Kent police and our partners are dealing with a serious incident which I appreciate is causing some disruption to local residents. “I’m grateful for the cooperation that the people of Canterbury have shown so far and I ask that they bear with us as we continue to deal with the two incidents. “We also continue to ask people to avoid both the city centre and Old Dover Road while the incidents are still ongoing. “At the moment we cannot formally connect the two incidents.” Investigations are continuing into the fire at Marks & Spencer, which is being treated as suspicious. Kent fire and rescue service was called at 5.10pm after staff discovered a small fire in the baby changing area on the second floor. It was quickly put out and the store was evacuated. There continues to be no reported injuries at either incident. guardian.co.uk

Posted by on August 26, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.