Bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion at Bluewater shopping centre in Kent on Saturday evening after a suspicious package was discovered near a Marks & Spencer store. The package was later deemed harmless by police.
The incident led to the evacuation of part of the shopping centre, with hundreds of shoppers caught up in the drama. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang shortly before 9pm, which police confirmed was a controlled explosion.
Kent Police were called at around 5.30pm and cordoned off an area between the food hall and Marks & Spencer. A Bluewater spokesman said the centre was liaising with police to ensure public safety.
Chief Superintendent Andrea Bishop thanked staff and shoppers for their cooperation, emphasising that public safety was the top priority. The incident occurred amid heightened security concerns following the Paris attacks and a security lockdown in Brussels.
