Bomb scare shuts Walsall town centre

Shoppers and workers left stranded in the street told of the chaos and confusion as a Black Country town centre was closed off in a bomb scare.

Thousands of staff had to be evacuated from their workplaces and buses diverted as Walsall's main station closed.

Hundreds of workers from Walsall Council were among those forced out on the street as police closed off several roads. Trevor Appleton, boss of Heaven Scent at The Crossing at St Paul's, aged 53, told of the confusion.

He said: "A police officer came inside and told us the building was being evacuated. When I came outside I realised the Civic Centre had been evacuated as well and the bus station — but no one knew what was going on."

Victoria Bryant, aged 23, was shopping in town when the drama unfolded.

She said: "I was heading into the town centre to get some milk for our baby but I couldn't get any further than the post office. There seemed to be thousands of people standing around. It is a bit worrying and a bit close to home for me."

Coincidentally, Walsall Council staff had already undergone a pre-planned evacuation for a fire drill at 3pm before they were then forced to leave the Civic Centre again because of the security alert just before 5pm, adding to the confusion.

Valerie Rudd, a care assistant from Bassetts Street, Alumwell, said: "I came into town to visit the Civic Centre then the fire alarm went off and people started to say it was a bomb scare.

I can't blame them for the precautions I think they have done quite well because of the amount of staff to be moved. It's better to be safe than sorry."

Transport authority Centro closed the bus station in St Paul's Street and buses were diverted.

All north Walsall services were terminated at Stafford Street and all services entering via Bridge Street were turning at the Arboretum lights, with the number 51 service exiting via its normal route.

Mark Langford, of Centro, said: "Staff from the bus station and National Express West Midlands are assisting passengers with how best to continue on their journey."