Stevenage bomb scare: Small explosion heard after bomb squad attend suspicious ‘coffee cup’ device found near TK Maxx

The suspicious device was located by a member of council staff in The Forum, Stevenage. Archant

A small explosion has been heard after bomb disposal experts rushed to a Stevenage town centre car park this morning to attend to a suspicious ‘coffee cup’ device.

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Fire crews on standby next to Fairlands Way. Picture: Submitted Fire crews on standby next to Fairlands Way. Picture: Submitted

A police cordon remains in place after the small explosion, which the Comet’s Martin Elvery described from the scene as a “very small explosion” – adding “if that was it, it was tiny”.

The Comet received reports earlier this morning that a device in the form of a polystyrene coffee cup with microchips attached had been found by a member of Stevenage Borough Council staff near the store.

Police have cordoned off the area and specialist officers remain at the scene.

A number of shops and businesses have been evacuated.

Traffic at the corner of St George's Way, Six Hills Way and the A602 in Stevenage after roads were closed during the bomb scare. Picture: Jeremy Williams Traffic at the corner of St George's Way, Six Hills Way and the A602 in Stevenage after roads were closed during the bomb scare. Picture: Jeremy Williams

An army bomb disposal unit was called to assess the device, and fire crews are also on standby at the scene.

Road closures are still in place in St George’s Way at the junction with Six Hills Way, Fairlands Way and Lytton Way, so drivers are advised to avoid the area.

The Comet is awaiting further updates from the police – who at this stage were unable to confirm whether a controlled explosion had been carried out.