Praise for police and staff after hundreds of people are evacuated from Hartlepool shopping centre

Middleton Grange shopping centre was evacuated at around 2.40pm on Wednesday after the suspect item was reported in a vehicle in the multi-storey car park.

Police carried out a full evacuation of the shopping centre and a 500-metre radius while it was investigated.

Surrounding roads including Park Road and Stockton Street were cordoned off during the incident.

Everyone was allowed to return after around half an hour after the item was found not to be dangerous.

Middleton Grange manager Mark Rycraft thanked the police and praised the shopping centre team’s response and communication which led to the quick resolution.

Mr Rycraft said: “I would like to take this opportunity to say the team at the shopping centre acted impeccably and as a result of their quick reaction we were able to initiate a full evacuation under the guidance and advice of the police.

“A big thanks to the police. Communications were well in place and through a team effort we were able to resolve it quickly.”

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “Officers were called to Middleton Grange Shopping Centre earlier this afternoon after what was believed to be a suspicious item was found in the multi-storey car park.

“Following an evacuation of the shopping centre and businesses within a 500 metre radius, and further investigation, it was established that the item was not a threat to anyone and all who were evacuated could return to their premises.”