City centre bus and train stations evacuated amid 'security alert' as police lock down streets

A city's bus and trail stations have been evacuated after a "security alert" sparked a major police response. Cops swooped on the transport hubs in Chester this evening and locked down several streets.

One eyewitness described "quite a lot of panic" among people in the area amidst reports of the unknown alert. Network Rail halted all services in and out of the city, but say those services have since been reopened.

Cheshire Live reports that the disruption is set to last until 10am. An eyewitness told how people were ordered to move back following the "security alert".

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They said: "I was standing right next to where they closed off, was told it was a fire by bus station staff then spoke to a male police officer and was told it wasn't a fire and he couldn’t say what it was but it’s big enough for us to be moved back."

National Rail said to expect "major disruption" following the evacuation. It said on X: "Lines have reopened following a security alert at Chester station. Trains may still be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised to not call at Chester station. Major disruption is expected until 22:00."

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