Who caused Bristol city centre bomb scare?
A police operation is under way to trace the person responsible for sparking a bomb scare in Bristol.
Thousands of shoppers and store workers were evacuated for more than three hours when a metal case was left on a bench in The Podium, Broadmead, on Monday.
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A bomb disposal team was called in and destroyed the case, which is understood to have been empty.
It is thought a CCTV operator spotted someone leaving the suspicious package behind at 11.30am and alerted police.
The cost of the incident is likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds in policing and lost revenue for the 65 shops forced to close on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said: "Inquiries are ongoing but we don't know if the case was put down accidentally or on purpose."
Anyone with information should contact the police on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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by Wholetime Firefighter, Bristol
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 5:34PM
“As you put on another thread, Dave, you would be willing to pick it up, or "tap it" would you? And what if your crystal ball has failed and it is a real device?
What will be put on your gravestone, after you had been scraped up? (Providing enough of you could be found).
"Here lies Dave. He thought it was fake"?
I just LOVE these forums. So many "experts", so VERY little knowledge.......”
by Dave, Bristol
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 4:02PM
“Hahahahahaha - it was empty. Does this mean that nobody tried tapping it or picking it up then?
Steve is right. But far more deadly would be a car bomb - a terrorist could take out half of Broadmead with one of them.
Of course, you can't beat contamination of the water supply for true terror effect.
But you're about 1,000 times more likely to die falling down the stairs or out of bed so really, we're just doing the terrorists' job for them.”
by Steve, Isle of No Alerts
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 3:41PM
“Surely, any prospective bomber would hide their bomb in a bin or similar and not leave it in full view of any cameras.”
by Steven, North Bristol
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 11:59AM
“What do you sugest we all "do about it" Mrs. Gillespie? Obviously being such a vocal supporter of the law, you wouldn't be suggesting that vigilantes operate outside it.”
by Andy, Bristol
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 9:42AM
“Expect to see a photo in the not too distant future then!!”