Leeds General Infirmary cordoned off after suspicious package is found

A major hospital was cordoned aff after a package containing a ‘suspicious substance’ was found.

Staff at Leeds General Infirmary opened the package and reported it to West Yorkshire Police at 11am today.

Specialist police officers ‘in hazmat suits’ were on the ground as they try to identify the substance, which has now been contained.

Tests later found it was non-toxic and hospital activities returned to normal.

During the initial emergency service response, a cordon was in place around a car park near to the hospital and a green tent was erected on hospital grounds.

One local who visited Leeds General Infirmary during the incident told Metro: ‘The hospital was manic. Members of the public did not know what was going on.

‘All I saw was loads of emergency service vehicles. Staff in hazmat suits and a tent had been put up outside the ambulance entrance to accident and emergency.’

Two fire engines, two ambulance and a number of police officers were at the scene, but the police response has now been stood down.

A force spokesperson told Metro: ‘At 11.02am today (Wednesday), police received a report of a small package containing a suspicious substance which had been opened by staff at Leeds General Infirmary. 

‘Specialist officers were deployed to the location to identify the substance, which had been contained on site. Cordons were also put in place as a precaution for public safety, with some hospital functions transferred to other location.

‘Tests conducted on site determined the substance posed no threat to public health and police scenes were stood down later on Wednesday afternoon, with hospital functions returning to normality.

‘A malicious communications offence will be recorded regarding the package being sent to the hospital, and an investigation is underway by Leeds District CID.’

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue added that the substance ‘was found to be non-toxic’.

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