Ipswich centre cordon lifted after suspect package declared safe

A large area of Ipswich town centre was cordoned off, including Princes Street, near the Willis building

A cordon in part of a town centre has been lifted after an unidentified package was found to not pose any threat to the public, police said.

Suffolk Police said officers were called after the package was located next to Friars Street, Ipswich.

Road closures were put in place around Friars Street, Princes Street and Museum Street along with the Cromwell Square car park.

Residents evacuated from their homes have yet to return, police said.

Suffolk Police said the package was assessed by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

The force said a small area in the green area of Friars Street and St Nicholas Street would remain cordoned off while officers carried out an investigation "to understand the events which led to the package being left unattended".

Police said an explosive ordnance disposal team assessed the package and found it was not a threat to the public