Item which closed Portsmouth's main station for hours 'not suspicious' say police

Portsmouth and Southsea station will remain closed this afternoon Credit: PA/Brennan Patrick Joyce

Police investigating an unidentified item which closed Portsmouth's main railway station for many hours say they're no longer treating it as suspicious.

Specialist officers were called to Portsmouth and Southsea station on Commercial Road at 7.40 this morning, Sunday 16 July.

British Transport Police Hampshire reported on Twitter: "Officers are currently responding to reports of a suspicious item at Portsmouth and Southsea station.

“The station is closed and cordons are in place to allow specialist officers to assess the item.

A 100m cordon was put in place, and nearby businesses and accommodation were evacuated.

A bomb disposal robot was deployed, but it's now been confirmed that the situation has been dealt with, and the item is NOT being treated as suspicious.

Disruption was expected for many travelling to Goodwood's Festival of Speed which re-opened today following yesterday's cancellation for bad weather.

Network Rail said it would take some time before services returned to normal.