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Tesco store evacuated for controlled explosion

16/07/2007

A suspicious package destroyed in a controlled explosion outside a Tesco store in Bristol has been dismissed as a "false alarm" by police.

Explosive ordnance disposal experts were called in after initial reports of the package were received by Avon and Somerset police at around 07:45 BST this morning.

Roads were closed causing local transport disruption, while the Eastville shopping centre was evacuated and a 400-metre police cordon was established.

The controlled explosion took place shortly after 11:15 BST, when it was discovered that the bag contained items of clothing.

"It seems that this was a false alarm with good intent," an Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said.

"Precautionary action was taken by police, wheeling out well-rehearsed plans with public safety as a paramount concern."

Today's security scare follows two attempted car bombings in London and at Glasgow airport, which saw the UK terror threat level briefly raised to 'critical'.

Meanwhile the incident means more disruption for Tesco, which saw 14 stores closed on Saturday after it received a series of threats.

The grocery sector giant lost millions of pounds due to the closures, which police say were not linked to extremism.

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