Birmingham New Street station has reopened after being evacuated as police have confirmed the ‘hand grenade’ spotted on Platform 1 was actually a cannabis grinder.
Hundreds were evacuated from the station around 3pm this afternoon after receiving reports of a ‘suspicious item’ in the station.
British Transport Police have confirmed that the ‘suspicious item’ was in fact a ‘cannabis grinder designed to resemble a hand grenade’ and was eventually ‘deemed non-suspicious’.
Passengers at the station this afternoon were told to get ‘as far away from the building according to some social media users at the scene, while police, fire and ambulance services arrived to deal with the incident.
Videos from the station show hundreds of people being evacuated and being told to ‘get back’ by police officers.
The station has fully reopened, however, National Rail Services have said there will be major disruption to services until the end of the day.
Birmingham New Street has now reopened following concerns of a ‘grenade’ on Platform 1 this afternoon. A number of trainlines are expected to be disrupted into this evening because of the evacuation
British Transport Police have now confirmed that the ‘suspicious package’ was ‘a cannabis grinder designed to resemble a hand grenade’
Hundreds were evacuated from the station around 3pm this afternoon after receiving reports of a ‘suspicious item’ in the station. Passengers at the station this afternoon were told to get ‘as far away from the building according to some social media users at the scene
Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, London Northwestern Railway, Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway will all see disruption tonight.
A British Transport Police spokesperson told Birmingham Live following the reopening just after 5pm: ‘The item has now been assessed and deemed non-suspicious. It’s a cannabis grinder designed to resemble a hand grenade.’
Birmingham New Street Tweeted: ‘New Street has reopened after this afternoon’s security alert.
‘Thanks to BTP for their swift response. However train services will be severely disrupted this evening. Please check before you travel with National Rail Enquiries.’
Avanti West Coast said that their services will no longer be diverted and will call at Birmingham New Street, Sandwell and Dudley as scheduled.
Railway providers have said that the mass disruption will continue to affect services tonight
London Northwestern Railway Tweeted tonight: ‘Birmingham New Street station has reopened. Services will not immediately recommence and disruption is ongoing whilst we work to recover the scheduled timetable.’
The provider said tickets would still be accepted on bus routes.
This afternoon hundreds were told to leave the station after a ‘suspicious” item was found on the platform, meaning no trains could enter or leave the busy platform.
Around 3pm today the transport police said they were ‘responding to a report of a suspicious item on a platform at New Street’.
Birmingham New Street station (pictured) was evacuated after a suspicious item was found on a platform (Stock image). The station has now reopened after British Transport Police confirmed the ‘suspicious item’ was actually a ‘cannabis grinder shaped a hand grenade’
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A spokesperson at the time added: ‘The station has been evacuated as a precaution while the item is assessed. Thank you for your patience while we respond to this incident.’
West Midlands Ambulance Service said in a statement: ‘We are aware of reports of a suspicious item at New Street Station in Birmingham. Ambulance crews are working with colleagues from West Midlands Police, British Transport Police Birmingham and West Midlands Fire Service.
‘The station has been evacuated as a precaution while the item is assessed.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said in a statement: ‘We are aware of reports of a suspicious item at New Street Station in Birmingham. Ambulance crews are working with colleagues from West Midlands Police, CNC brousící postup British Transport Police Birmingham and West Midlands Fire Service.
‘The station has been evacuated as a precaution while the item is assessed.’
A statement from Avanti West Coast read: ‘Due to a security alert at Birmingham New Street all lines are blocked.
The official Twitter page for Birmingham New Street station said disruption is expected for the rest of the day and into the evening
Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London Northwestern Railway, Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway services were all disrupted this afternoon, unable to get in or out of the station. The disruption to services is expected to continue this evening
‘Train services running through this station will be diverted between Birmingham International and Wolverhampton. Birmingham New Street and Sandwell & Dudley will not be served. Disruption is expected until 19:00.
‘West Midlands Metro are conveying passengers between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton in both directions until further notice. Arrangements have been made for Avanti West Coast rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys. Ticket acceptance agreed until 18:00.
‘West Midlands Metro are conveying passengers between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street in both directions until further notice. Arrangements have been made for Avanti West Coast rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys. Tickets will be accepted until 18:00.’
