Selly Oak Sainsbury's evacuated after suspicious package found

Feb 18 2010 by Sarah Probert, Birmingham Post

Shoppers and staff were forced to evacuate a busy Birmingham supermarket today after a suspicious package was discovered.

Police ordered the clearance of Sainsbury’s in Chapel Lane, Selly Oak, at about 10.30am after store workers reported a blue holdall sports bag which had been left near to the entrance.

A short stretch of Bristol Road was sealed off in both directions while bomb squad officers investigated and secured the site.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “The store was temporarily evacuated as a precautionary measure and part of Bristol Road was closed.

“The package was found to be harmless. Both the store and Bristol Road were reopened at about 11.20am.”