Students attending a Swindon college were evacuated this afternoon after police confirmed the discovery of a “suspicious package” on campus.
New College Swindon confirmed that people were evacuated from its North Star campus at around 1pm today after the item was found, and Wiltshire Police quickly arrived to conduct checks.
Officials shut down nearby roads as they worked, forcing local bus services to redirect routes.
The college announced the evacuation in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, at 1.34pm, with worried members of the public quizzing what had happened.
Police later confirmed the package was found not to be a cause for concern, but the college said officers were still conducting checks.
New College confirmed the news earlier this afternoon, prompting concern from X users.
One commenter, Barry Crisp, wrote: “What is happening? Are the kids OK?”
College social media handlers quickly specified that it had only evacuated the North Star campus and said precautionary checks were “still taking place”.
The college said: “Swindon Police responded to reports of a suspicious package at the College just after 1pm today.”
“Buildings have been evacuated as a precaution but police have examined the suspect package – it was found not to be a cause for concern
“Precautionary checks are still taking place but there is not thought to be any ongoing threat.”
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police added the package was “found not to be a cause for concern”.
They said: “Police officers have examined the suspect package and it was found not to be a cause for concern.”
Local bus firm Swindon’s Buses confirmed one of its services was diverted after police shuttered the road this afternoon.
In a post on X, the company said: “Polaris Way into North Star College has been closed by Police.
“Service 16 is diverted via Great Western Way in both directions.
“The North Star College bus stop cannot be served at this time. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.”
