Statement from Harlow Council

Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “The council would like to thank the Police and Ministry of Defence for their response and for the actions they took to ensure the safety of the public and businesses while the matter was assessed and dealt with.

“There was never any threat to the community and the item was safely dealt with.”

1530 hrs: Update: Statement from Essex Police

We were alerted to a suspicious item in Staple Tye, Harlow, shortly after 8.30am this morning, Saturday 10 August.

We liaised with MOD colleagues, who took the lead at the scene and a cordon was put in place as a precaution.

Southern Way was also closed for a time as a precaution.

A controlled explosion was carried out on the item, which was assessed by Army experts to pose no threat.

There was never any threat to the community.

The scene was released shortly after 1pm and we’d like to thank shoppers and businesses in the area for their patience whilst the item was dealt with.

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THE BOMB Squad has been called to Harlow to deal with what we understand is a suspect package off Southern Way in Harlow.

At present the incident (1200 hrs) is being led by a Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team.

Southern Way is blocked off from the McDonald’s roundabout to the junction of Southern Way.

An area of the cycle track has also been sealed off.

The mobile unit you see in the film has been up and down the path and onto the cycletrack.

This has all been done for public safety.

They appear to be concentrating on an area near to the cycle track.

YH has been in contact with Essex Police and Harlow Council.

More follows.

YH Update: 1500 hrs: We are still awaiting an update from all agencies. As soon as we get it.