Intu Derby reopens after overnight bomb scare closure

Customers were evacuated from restaurants, a cinema and bowling alley at the centre

A shopping centre has fully reopened after it was evacuated because of a suspicious package.

Intu Derby was evacuated about 19:00 BST on Friday and surrounding roads were shut after the object was found.

While shops had closed, restaurants and leisure facilities were open and people were unable to get their vehicles out of the car park.

Police said the package was made safe and an investigation into the contents confirmed they were "deemed harmless".

The centre reopened eight hours later at about 03:00.

Intu Derby said it was open as usual on Saturday, adding: "We'd like to say sorry to anyone who had their visit disrupted and thank them for their co-operation during the evacuation."

Motorists were told they would not be charged as they collected their vehicles left overnight.

Derbyshire Police said: "We'd like to assure the public the area has been made safe and officers will be patrolling nearby to provide extra reassurance to those in the city."

The force said investigations into how the package arrived at the centre are ongoing.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].