Birmingham New Street evacuated as police descend on station...

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No trains in or out of Birmingham New Street Station after an incident



Birmingham New Street has been evacuated following a security alert today. All train services in and out of the station have been stopped

Emergency services are in attendance. Train passengers said the station had been cleared along with nearby roads. The nature of the incident has not been confirmed.

One eye-witness said: "The police have told us there has been an incident but they aren't telling us any more. We can hear an alarm in the distance but people are just standing round waiting at the moment."

Cross Country Trains posted: "Due to a security alert at Birmingham New Street all lines are blocked. Train services running across the whole CrossCountry network will be delayed. Disruption is expected until 16:15."

Transport for West Midlands tweeted: " @TransportForWM All lines to @NetworkRailBHM are currently blocked due to an incident.

"As a result, the station has been evacuated. Expect delays and disruption to train services. Allow extra time for travel and consider using alternative modes of transport."

This is a live breaking news story. BirminghamLive will bring you more updates as we get them below.

There are unconfirmed reports that a 'grenade' has been found on the platform.

A person at the station claimed a train conductor told passengers a suspected hand grenade was found on platform one.

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British Transport Police issue statement after 'suspicious item' found



The British Transport Police have issued a statement after Birmingham New Street Station was evacuated just before rush hour. Passengers were asked to leave the area after a 'suspicious item' was spotted on a platform, the force said.

An alarm sounded just after 3pm today (October 31). The item is set to be assessed by specialists with no trains in or out of the station until it is safe to do so.

A spokesperson for British Transport Police tweeted at 3.53pm: "We're currently responding to a report of a suspicious item on a platform at #NewStreet. The station has been evacuated as a precaution while the item is assessed.

"Thank you for your patience while we respond to this incident."

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Birmingham New Street Station reopens as police reveal what 'suspicious item' prompted evacuation

Police have revealed what the 'suspicious item' was after it caused a mass evacuation at New Street Station. Officers said it appears to be a cannabis grinder designed to resemble a hand grenade.

Hundreds of people were told to leave the station after a "suspicious item" was found on a platform. The security alert meant no trains were allowed in or out of the busy station.

The station reopened just before 5pm and less than two-hours after it was forced to close. Train services have also resumed.

A British Transport police spokesperson told BirminghamLive: "The item has now been assessed and deemed non-suspicious. It’s a cannabis grinder designed to resemble a hand grenade."

It came after a person at the station claimed a train conductor told passengers a suspected hand grenade had been found at the station on platform one.