Package 'was an explosive device'

The package was found in a street planter

Police have confirmed a suspicious package found in Bedford was an explosive device.

About 250 people living in Gladstone Street had to leave their homes on Wednesday night when the package was found in a street planter.

Bomb disposal experts detonated the device in a controlled explosion and residents were allowed to return to their homes at 2330 GMT.

Police want to talk to a man who called officers that night with information.

A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman said officers have urged any members of the public who find similar suspect packages not to touch them but to contact police immediately.

Police on roofs

Supt Dave Quarmby said: "At the moment we have specialist search officers searching in Gladstone Street to see if there are any more parts of the device we can recover for evidential purposes.

"Officers are likely to be seen on roofs or searching other areas in great detail for this purpose."

Police are particularly keen to speak to a man who rang on Wednesday night claiming to have information, but who failed to leave contact details.

Supt Quarmby added: "There's absolutely nothing to suggest there are any more of these packages around.

"It's unknown whether the items in the package would have been capable of doing any damage anyway at this stage or if it was even someone's idea of a prank.

"However, the potential danger and disruption to residents was considerable so we are doing everything we can to trace the origin and are taking it very seriously."