Police probe into packages find

A number of suspicious packages were found at the sorting office

Suspicious packages which prompted the evacuation of a Royal Mail premises in Nottingham appear to have been sent "with malicious intent", police said.

Workers had to leave the main sorting office after a number of suspect packages were found at Padge Road in Beeston at about 0930 BST on Tuesday.

A bomb disposal team and the fire service were called to investigate but the packages were found to be harmless.

Police said a detailed inquiry would be carried out to establish who sent them.

"Officers are treating the incident as a crime", a police spokesman said.

Between 200 and 300 staff had to leave the building for several hours and the road was cordoned off while the packages and their contents were analysed and found to pose no risk.

In a statement Royal Mail said staff were allowed back in the building at 1430 BST and there would be minimal disruption to mail services in the area.