Protein shake leads to city centre bomb alert

Police started a full scale bomb alert, closing a Birmingham city centre street, over a suspicious package which turned out to be a leaking protein shake.

Pedestrians and vehicles were prevented from the area around Dalton Street, close to the Birmingham’s main courts complex in Corporation Street.

The suspect item - which turned out to be a plastic protein shake bottle - was discovered by a passer-by just after 8.15am on Monday.

Motorist Christopher White said he reported the package to West Midlands Police who placed the area between Newton Street and James Watt Queensway in lockdown while further investigations took place.

A member of the public said people had been walking past it all morning but police sealed the road off about 9am.

Because Dalton Street is a service road, the closure did not cause any traffic congestion

One member of the public who was there when police swooped to seal off the road, said it was an "over-reaction".

A member of court staff who had just arrived for work said the police reacted very responsibly.

"I'd rather they sealed off the road and caused some disruption than to have a bomb go off," she said.

The crown court is busy today and there were lots of journalists and cameramen outside the building.

This is because it is the start of a trial where two men are accused of the murder of missing Coventry woman, Nicola Payne.

After sniffer dogs were brought in to check out the can, the road was re-opened at 9.30am.

West Midlands Police confirmed that had received reports of a dubious item that had be dumped in the area of the courts.