INNOCUOUS foodstuffs was the cause of a suspicious package scare at a charity in Cowley Road, Oxford, today.
Firefighters and seven police officers along with sniffer dogs arrived the scene at Oxfordshire Mind’s Cowley Road offices at about 1.35pm. The road was sealed off and closed for about 10 minutes but reopened when police established there was no serious threat.
A cordon remained in place around the office for most of the afternoon. Thames Valley Police said that a holdall containing white powder and red liquid was the source of the alert.
A later test on the substance by the fire service confirmed the powder was food.
Spokeswoman Rhianne Pope said: “A member of the public found it and evacuated the building.”
She added police did not believe the alert was malicious.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here