Post Office evacuated after suspect package sparks alert
An abandoned suitcase has sparked an evacuation of a South Tyneside Post Office.
The South Shields branch of the Post Office in Keppel Street was evacuated at about 10.30am today after the suitcase was spotted by a member of staff.
Customers were ushered outside and Northumbria Police was called to investigate.
The owner of the suitcase has now been found and it appears to have been left by accident.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "At 10.30am this morning police were contacted by the Post Office over concerns about a suitcase which had been left y a customer.
"the Post Office took the decision to evacuate the building before police arrived.
"Officers have attended and have spoken to the owner of the case who had left the case.
"the call was made in good faith."