Manchester Airport suspect bag alert lifted

Bomb disposal experts have declared safe a suspicious package found at an airport.

The departure area of Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport was evacuated as a precaution shortly after 8.30am when security officials became concerned about a laptop bag being carried by a male passenger.

The bag was examined by bomb disposal experts and found to be not a suspicious device.

"Efforts are now being made to resume normal service at the airport.

Police said a man is being interviewed under a schedule seven port stop, a piece of legislation that allows officers to speak to a person about their travel arrangements without making an arrest, similar to stop and search powers.

Superintendent Phil Davies, Greater Manchester Police commander at the Airport, said: "We were alerted to something that appeared to be a suspicious device and as a precaution we evacuated Terminal 1.

"This incident shows that the security measures we have in place are effective and play an important role and when we get a security alert like this we will leave nothing to chance.

"The safety of passengers, staff and Airport users is our primary concern.

"We are working closely with the airport to resume normal business at Terminal 1, and we need to do this in a safe but swift manner."

A Manchester Airport spokesman added: "A suspicious bag was being investigated at the main security search area but we will be looking to return the operation to normal over the next few hours.

"We again remind our passengers that we take security very seriously, and that an evacuation is a standard precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our passengers and staff.

"We encourage passengers to contact their airline for the latest information if travelling today."

A "handful of flights" has been delayed, the spokesman said.

PA