Victoria Centre evacuation: Shopping centre reopens after security alert

The intu Victoria Centre in Nottingham has reopened and is operating as normal today after a security alert on Sunday.

A suspicious package caused a full evacuation of the shopping centre, although police later confirmed the package did not contain any explosives.

There was a controlled explosion at around 3.30pm on Sunday. The centre was quick to confirm last night that it would open as usual today:

Police had to help a shopper find a fire escape after store staff left him locked in during the Victoria Centre evacuation today.

Eye witness Maria Harrison who reached Victoria Centre a little after 11:00am said they were all asked to evacuate the car park.

She spoke to ITV Central about what she saw around the shopping centre:

Police have confirmed that a suspicious package discovered at Nottingham's intu Victoria Centre earlier today did not have any explosive devices.

A police cordon was in place since the discovery was reported to police and the Centre was evacuated just before 11.30am.

The package is believed to have been a discarded suitcase containing clothing and electrical equipment. No explosives were discovered.

The police cordon is expected to remain in place in parts of the Centre while officers continue to work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A controlled explosion was heard at the Victoria Centre in Nottingham just before 3:30pm this afternoon.

Shoppers who have their cars parked in the shopping centre have been told they might not get their cars back before tomorrow.

Nottinghamshire Police have issued an update for Victoria Centre residents, advising them to stay indoors until further notice: