Merseyside Police says the suspicious object that caused a bomb scare at the John Lewis department store in Liverpool city centre today was not a viable device nor a hoax. It was a security tag that had been wrapped and taped up to muffle a loud ticking sound.
Merseyside Police says the suspicious object that caused a bomb scare at the John Lewis department store in Liverpool city centre today was not a viable device nor a hoax. It was examined by bomb disposal experts who deemed it safe.
The object in question was a faulty electronic security tag which was emitting a loud and audible ticking sound.
It is believed a member of staff wrapped and taped the tag up to muffle the noise but did not tell colleagues working in the store what they had done or why it was there.
It was then found this morning by a staff member who, concerned by its appearance and sound, reported it to police and evacuated the store.
Officers say staff at John Lewis did the right thing in deciding to evacuate the building.
The store has since reopened.
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