Shopping centre evacuated as staff and shoppers filed outside

A shopping centre in Peterborough was evacuated this morning, as both customers and staff were seen waiting outside.

An announcement was heard about the evacuation over the centre's tannoy system, as mums with pushchairs and the elderly made their way out of the doors. Queensgate centre in the city centre was closed since around 11am when people were asked to move outside, and buses in the surrounding area have also been stopped, although further details have not been given.

Delaine Buses posted: "We have just been advised that Queensgate is being evacuated and that there is no access to the Bus Station. All services will use Acland Street until further notice. More updates as we have them."

A Cambridgeshire Police spokeswoman told the Mirror: “We were contacted by a store manager within Queensgate Shopping Centre at about 9.30am this morning (Wednesday) reporting contact to their head office yesterday (Tuesday) about a security threat to their store today.

“A decision was made by Queensgate security at about 10.45am this morning to evacuate the centre and bus station as a precaution. Our officers have been at the centre to assist security staff with the evacuation and work is ongoing to establish further detail about the threat and anyone involved.”

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The centre re-opened shortly after 1pm today.

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