Bomb scare in Church Stretton
A Shropshire high street was sealed off today after a rucksack was found lying outside a bank. The branch of HSBC in Church Stretton was later reopened after the owner came back to claim the bag.
The rucksack was accidentally left outside HSBC in High Street, Church Stretton at around 10am, sparking a police and bomb squad operation.
The bank was evacuated and parts of the High Street cordoned off as police and fire crews awaited experts from the Explosion Ordnance Disposal team.
But Richard Ewels, West Mercia Police spokesman, said the owner came forward just after 11am.
He said: "We had a rucksack found outside HSBC in High Street Church Stretton and had to treat it as a suspect package.
"We had to cordon off a part of the street and close the bank, evacuating staff and customers while awaiting EOD experts.
"However, as we were awaiting their arrival the owner of the rucksack said he had placed it there and walked off by mistake, only realising some time later.
"Owner and rucksack have been reunited and the bank and street are now open and running as usual.
