A major alert was sparked after an envelope containing a suspicious white powder was delivered to premises in Manchester city centre today (October 5).
Emergency services raced to the scene in Spinningfields shortly after 11:30am after the alarm was raised over the package.
Police said it was delivered to a building on Hardman Street just off Deansgate.
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A cordon could be seen in place outside 3 Hardman Street, a 16 storey high-rise building which is home to a number of businesses.
Officers stood guard outside whilst a large number of emergency service vehicles - including police and paramedics vehicles, and fire engines - were parked on Hardman Street and Byrom Street near the Ivy restuarant.
The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were among those present.
Police said after being examined it was determined that the substance was not hazardous.
"Shortly before 11.25am officers were called to a report that an unknown white powder had been delivered in an envelope to a premises on Hardman Street, Manchester," a spokesperson said.
"Emergency services are in attendance and the substance has been identified as non-hazardous."
The ambulance service confirmed they sent numerous resources to the scene but said no one required hospital treatment.
""Our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were called to support an incident at an address on Hardman Street, Manchester, at 11.37" a spokesperson said.
"No one required hospital treatment."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 11.40 this morning, two fire engines and a detection, identification and monitoring vehicle from Gorton and Ramsbottom fire stations were called to attend an incident on Hardman Street, Manchester.
“GMFRS crews were in attendance at the scene for around three hours, alongside colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service.”
Emergency service began leaving the scene at around 3:30pm.
People working in offices in the busy area of the city centre said they had left been shocked and confused at the huge response, the nature of which was unknown for several hours.
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