Part of Stockport was brought to a standstill as the 'bomb squad' spent hours outside the town's Jobcentre. Police had set up a 100m cordon around Heron House, on Wellington Street, after a suspicious package was found.
Nearby streets were taped off, including the usually bustling Wellington Road South, with traffic stopped from passing along the A6. A crowd had formed outside McDonald's, as people watched the bomb disposal unit carry out its work, while diners inside kept an eye on what was happening on the other side of the road.
Lewis Bates, who was among those watching, said: "I heard a few bangs - it was like two or three. That's when I thought 'that didn't sound too good'.
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"I got here and the bomb squad were here. You just wouldn't think, a suspicious package in Stockport. It could have had anything in it.
"The police have done good, they've got to it. Now we've just got to wait to see the outcome of it. I'm glad they got to it when they did."
Eyewitnesses told the Manchester Evening News they heard a number of bangs after the bomb disposal unit arrived on the scene. Several ambulances were also seen in attendance, but they soon left the area.
Dave Seton said: “When I got to Stockport, Wellington Road was only cornered off. But whilst in Subway, the bomb disposal turned up and police closed Wellington Road.
“Then, around five to 10 mins later, there was a loud bang. Not enough to shake any glass, but it was loud enough to echo around the buildings.”
The crowd on Wellington Road South watched in curiosity, as crime scene investigators joined the large police presence at the scene. One man, who stopped at the McDonald's opposite, said: "It was weird going in there and it was empty - it's usually the busiest McDonald's going."
Others were stuck outside the cordon not through choice. Around a dozen people who had been forced to leave the Jobcentre waited at St Peter's Square until they were allowed to gather their belongings.
Cameron Egan and Elysha Gill had parked their car inside the Jobcentre as they arrived for a day in the town centre. "We just want to go home," Cameron said.
"We've come to Stockport to see if it's somewhere we want to live. We'd seen some nice flats and we thought we would see what it's like - and there's an actual bomb threat."
Officers were first called to the scene following reports of a suspicious package at around midday. After bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion, officers remained at the scene until around 5pm, when Jobcentre staff were allowed back inside.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: "Heron House Jobcentre remains closed today after a suspicious package was found outside the building. Police were called and all customers and staff were evacuated according to safety procedures.
“We are contacting affected customers to rearrange their appointments.” Greater Manchester Police has been approached for an update.
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