Controlled explosion carried out after 'suspicious package' found outside Jobcentre

A controlled explosion was carried out in Stockport this afternoon after a suspicious package was found outside a Jobcentre.

Emergency services were called to Wellington Street at around 2.20pm on Saturday (July 8).

Police paramedics, fire crews and bomb disposal units closed off the area before witnesses heard a ‘loud explosion’ five minutes later.

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A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service confirmed fire crews were called to a Jobcentre on Wellington Street after a ‘suspicious package’ was found.

Police are at the scene (@bigdave22003388 (Twitter))

Bomb disposal officers then carried out a controlled explosion and an investigation is now underway, Greater Manchester Police say.

In a statement, a spokesman for GMP added: "At around 12:00pm today (08/07/2023), police were called to a report of a suspicious package at a premises on Wellington Street in Stockport.

"Bomb disposal officers carried out a controlled explosion and a 100m cordon is in place as investigation are ongoing."

Bomb disposal units at the scene (@bigdave22003388 (Twitter))

Witness Dave Seton said: “When I got to Stockport, Wellington Road was only cornered off. But whilst in Subway, the bomb disposal turned up and police closed Wellington Road.

“Then, around five to 10 mins later, there was a loud bang. Not enough to shake any glass, but it was loud enough to echo around the buildings.”