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Two suspicious packages found in Exeter prompts evacuation Two suspicious packages found in Exeter prompt evacuation
(about 2 hours later)
Two suspicious packages, including one with "wires hanging out", have been found in Exeter, prompting a primary school and streets to be evacuated. The discovery of two suspicious packages in Exeter has prompted the evacuation of a school, homes and businesses and street closures.
The suspect suitcase with "wires" was found attached to St Sidwell's school railings at about 07:00 BST and another was found in a city centre car park. A suitcase with wires hanging out was found attached to St Sidwell's school railings at about 07:00 BST and another was found in a city centre car park.
Bomb disposal experts have been called to the scene around York Street and armed police are patrolling the area. Bomb disposal experts used a controlled explosion to deal with one device. The second will be dealt with later.
Homes and businesses in the area have been evacuated. Police said they were not currently treating it as a terrorist incident.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the suspect packages were suitcases but said at this stage they are not treating it as a terrorist incident. Armed police, fire crews and sniffer dogs were called in and everyone within 100m of the packages was evacuated from the area.
Everyone within 100m of either package has been evacuated from the area, which has caused significant disruption to local public transport services. A large section of the city centre has been cordoned off and there has been significant disruption to public transport.
The first suitcase was found by St Sidwell's School caretaker, Brent Hibbs, and the 200 pupils and 42 nursery children were evacuated. The first suitcase was found by St Sidwell's School caretaker, Brent Hibbs. A breakfast club was evacuated and the remainder of the 200 pupils and 42 nursery children arriving at the school were moved to safety.
Head teacher Kathryn Rowden said: "Our staff did an excellent job in evacuating the children quickly and efficiently. I cannot comment on the motive for this.Head teacher Kathryn Rowden said: "Our staff did an excellent job in evacuating the children quickly and efficiently. I cannot comment on the motive for this.
"But I would point out that St Sidwell's is a Church of England school and we have children of all faiths, and some with no faith, who learn together and play together very harmoniously.""But I would point out that St Sidwell's is a Church of England school and we have children of all faiths, and some with no faith, who learn together and play together very harmoniously."
A "second suspect package" was found at the King William Street Car Park at about 09:15 BST, which led to further road closures in the area and the evacuation of homes in and around the city centre. A second suspect suitcase was found at the King William Street Car Park at about 09:15 BST.
York Road at both the Sidwell Street and Longbrook Street entrances have been closed along with others in the area. People have been urged to avoid the area. That led to further road closures in the area and the evacuation of homes in and around the city centre.
York Road, at both the Sidwell Street and Longbrook Street entrances, has been closed along with other roads in the area.
People have been urged to avoid the area.