A “suspicious package” which forced the evacuation of a building on one of the busiest streets in Scotland contained clothes.
Police were called to Halifax on Edinburgh’s Princes Street at about 12.30pm due to concerns around the item.
The building was evacuated “as a precaution” and an investigation was launched.
Five shops – the Carphone Warehouse, Three, Sports Direct, Waterstones and Halifax – were closed off.
An explosive ordnance disposal unit was also sent to the scene.
However it later transpired that the package actually contained clothing and posed “no risk” to the public.
Edinburgh Police posted: “The package was found to contain clothing, posing no risk to the public.
“The cordon, established as a precaution while this was assessed by the EOD, has been removed. Local businesses and residents are thanked for their co-operation.”
UPDATE – the package was found to contain clothing, posing no risk to the public. The cordon, established as a precaution while this was assessed by the EOD, has been removed. Local businesses and residents are thanked for their co-operation. pic.twitter.com/xmcbJpfFcP
— Edinburgh Police (@EdinburghPolice) March 7, 2019
An earlier police statement read: “We received a report of a suspicious package having been received at a business premises on Princes Street at around 12.30pm today.
— Dora A (@Dwro8ea) March 7, 2019
“The building has been evacuated as a precaution and officers are in attendance to progress inquiries. We will provide further updates in due course.”
We received a report of a suspicious package having been received at a business premises on Princes Street at around 12.30pm today.
The building has been evacuated as a precaution & officers are in attendance to progress inquiries.
We will provide further updates in due course
— Edinburgh Police (@EdinburghPolice) March 7, 2019
Princes Street was closed to traffic in both directions during the incident.
It comes after a suspicious package was discovered in Glasgow University on Wednesday morning. The device was linked to three others found at locations in London.
