Police declared a major incident and closed a Bedminster road this afternoon (October 9) following a bomb scare on West Street. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that officers had been called to the Three Lions pub at around 12:40pm after receiving reports of 'suspicious packages' being left at the site.
A statement from the police went on to say: "Emergency services are attending an incident at a pub in West Street, Bedminster. Police were called to The Three Lions at 12.40pm after receiving reports of suspicious packages being left at the site.
"As a precaution, people have been evacuated from the pub and some nearby properties. A 50m cordon has been put in place and we'd ask members of the public to avoid the area at this time.
Read more: Traffic live updates: A38 West Street Bedminster closed both ways over 'bomb scare'
"A major incident has been declared while searches are carried out. We'd like to reassure people we have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with such incidents."
Bus services in the area had to be diverted - the First Bus 75, 76, A1 and M1 services diverted via Bedminster Road, with the bus company confirming that it was unable to serve West Street or Parson Street Station stops, this afternoon. One local resident described part of the evacuation process, saying: "I live a few houses down from the pub and I'm currently eating lunch on North Street, waiting for police to open the street back up so I can go home.
"They evacuated us around an hour or so ago and it started with them putting all those people from the Three Lions on the street first." Photos from the scene showed residents stood in groups behind the police cordon, waiting to be given the all-clear from the police.
Local Labour councillor, Mark Bradshaw, tweeted a photo of the police statement along with a message to his constituents, telling them to "stay safe". In the tweet, he said: "Police kindly rang me with an update on the situation in West Street #Bedminster. This is the latest information they have asked me to share. Hope everyone stays safe and that the incident ends soon.
"Sorry that people have had to be evacuated as a necessary precaution." You can follow all of the latest on this incident, as it unfolded, here.
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