SHOPS and restaurants in the middle of the lunchtime rush were evacuated after a suspicious suitcase was spotted at a bank in the Brisbane CBD.

People were evacuated from stores along George St while police investigated a suitcase that was been abandoned in the National Australia Bank branch.

The male owner of the suitcase was taken into custody by police. He was found to be a tourist with limited English who was soon released without charge after what police called a misunderstanding.

Police reported at 12.30pm that the suitcase was non-suspicious and the street was reopened at 12.45pm.

Police responded to the incident after being notified by a member of the public.

George Street, Brisbane