One of Bristol's biggest shopping destinations was evacuated by police and cordoned off after a "suspicious package" prompted safety fears.
A bomb squad was deployed to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway on Saturday (March 27) and carried out a controlled explosion, after the alarm was raised with police.
Staff and shoppers were evacuated and a cordon was put up near John Lewis, which is among the shops still operating there during lockdown for click and collect only.
A Bristol Live reader said staff were sent home and "police were stood on every door", but he was not told what the reason was for the evacuation.
This afternoon (Monday) Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the nature of the call-out, revealing that it received a report of a "suspicious package" at about 2pm.
A spokesperson said: "As a precautionary measure, a cordon was put in place affecting the south side of the Mall and the premises was evacuated.
"An Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was deployed to carry out a controlled explosion of the package.
"Enquiries are ongoing, but it has been determined that the contents of the package did not pose a significant threat to persons or property."
Police did not state exactly what was inside the package, and have advised that investigation is ongoing.
The package was found by security staff at a loading bay, outside of the shopping centre itself, and the controlled explosion took place on location after the bomb disposal team agreed that it was safe to do so.
Police advised that "a very limited number of people" were affected by the evacuation - primarily staff members.
The discovery is not being treated as terrorism-related.
The shopping centre has also been contacted for comment.
Most shops at the shopping centre in South Gloucestershire are closed due to the ongoing national lockdown.
However, several are open for essentials like food and pharmaceuticals, including Boots, M&S Food Hall and Superdrug.
Other stores are open for click and collect services only.
