Epping council meeting evacuated after 'suspicious bag' found outside
A council meeting in Essex had to be evacuated by police on Tuesday evening (September 24) after a suspicious bag was found nearby. Epping Council's meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee was disrupted after the bag was seen on the authority's premises.
Essex Police were called to the scene shortly before 7pm following concerns around a bag. Those inside the building, which included a number of cross-party councillors, were evacuated by police.
The bag was found outside the fire exit at the Homefield Close end of the building. This is the front of the building facing the high road.
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Examinations of the bag found that it contained clothes and a small knife was also found a short distance from the bag. A spokesperson for the council said: "A small kitchen knife of the type you might use to peel potatoes was found a short distance away and may or may not be connected to the bag.
"While the situation remained uncertain, the chairman of committee decided on the advice of the police to suspend the meeting and reconvene at a later date."
An Essex Police spokesperson said: "Officers were called to the Civic offices on Epping High Street shortly before 7pm on Tuesday following concerns around a bag which had been left outside the door. Those in the building were temporarily evacuated and a cordon was put in place. Following further enquiries, the bag was not deemed to be a concern and the cordon was lifted."