Manchester City Centre Cordoned off in Bomb Scare

Police cordoned off an area in the centre of Manchester after a suspicious package was discovered outside the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

Police were called to New York Street at 7.35am this morning (Friday) following reports of a suspicious package found in a car at the centre.

A 100-metre cordon was been put in place and buildings around the area were evacuated.

Bomb disposal experts were at the scene.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion on the package. There were no injuries during the exposion.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed after examining the package no explosive materials were found, only a laptop and cables.

Massive bang just heard in city centre.
— Amy Glendinning (@amyglendinning) February 8, 2013

Supt Neil Bhole, said: "This incident has caused significant disruption this morning but we have to put the safety of the public ahead of inconvenience and disruption and we make no apology for the steps taken.

"We have dealt with this as quickly as possible without jeopardising public safety and everything should now be returning to normal.

"We obviously cannot speculate on the motive for the bag being left where it was but will now be carrying out an investigation to try and trace the individual involved."

Metrolink and bus services going into the centre have now resumed normal service.

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