Firework led to city evacuation

A theatrical device found in a hotel room led to the evacuation

One of the suspect packages which caused the evacuation of Birmingham city centre contained a stage firework, police have revealed.

About 20,000 people were forced to leave the area on Saturday evening.

Ch Supt Peter Goodman said West Midlands Police had received intelligence which gave a "credible and specific" threat.

He said a box with wires and a switch was found in a hotel room and a separate package was reported on a bus.

Both turned out to be harmless, but police said they reinforced the information that the city had been targeted.

These actions were exceptional but we are satisfied they were appropriate Ch Supt Pete Goodman

Mr Goodman said police had received intelligence which led them to carry out a search of Broad Street and the surrounding area.

During the search they came across the pyrotechnical device in a room at the Premier Travel Inn.

A man has been interviewed but no further action is to be taken against him.

In a separate incident, a member of the public reported a suspicious package on a bus in the city centre. Bomb disposal experts were called in and carried out four controlled explosions.

"These actions were exceptional but we are satisfied our response was appropriate," Mr Goodman said.

"The security and safety of people in that area was paramount.

"We were dealing with a developing picture. The combination of both factors led us to take this action."

The decision to clear the city centre has been backed by Birmingham City Council.

Council leader Mike Whitby said he did not know what the financial cost of the operation would be but said it would be value for money, whatever the price.

Business leaders have estimated the cost could be £1m in lost revenue.