Man Arrested Over Suspect Package In County Durham

6 July 2011, 11:28 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man's being questioned by police after a suspect package was found at a bookies in County Durham.

The army were called to the Coral Racing shop on Front Street in Annfield Plain near Stanley yesterday evening, parts of the village were cordoned off as they carried out a controlled explosion.

The betting shop remains closed and cordoned off as police investigations continue.

A 20-year-old local man was arrested in connection with the incident and is in custody at Consett police station.

Stanley neighbourhood inspector Amanda Cathrine said:

'I would like thank local people for their co-operation and understanding while the roads were closed as we worked to resolve this situation.

'I must stress that this was not a bomb; it was a suspect package which was destroyed at no risk to anyone in the vicinity.

'There is nothing to suggest that this incident was linked to any extremist organisation. However, if local people have any continuing concerns about the incident, I would encourage them to contact their local neighbourhood officers.'