UPDATE Bomb threat over at Winchester Crown Court
According to Hampshire Constabulary, police received information this afternoon (Monday) regarding a bomb threat against Winchester Crown Court.
As a precaution, the court has been evacuated, and an exclusion zone of up to 200 metres has been placed around the court, in High Street, central Winchester.
Specialist officers have been deployed to the scene.
Police have urged members of the public to stay away from the area until told otherwise.
An update will follow.
UPDATE - 3.25PM
Police are maintaining cordons around Winchester after receiving a telephone call in relation to a bomb threat against Winchester Crown Court.
As a precaution, the court has been evacuated, and an exclusion zone of up to 100 metres has now been placed around the court.
Specialist military and police officers are on site, searching the court buildings.
At this stage cordons are anticipated to be in place for a few more hours.
Police have urged members of the public to stay away from the area until told otherwise.
UPDATE 5.55PM
Hampshire Constabulary has confimed police officers dealing with a bomb threat at Winchester Crown Court have now lifted all of the cordons.
Specialist military and police officers are on site, finalising their searches of the court buildings.
The public are now free to return to the area.
Chief Inspector James Fulton, said: "We received a specific bomb threat against both Winchester Crown Court and having assessed the detail of the communication and target, it was deemed nesccecary to complete a full evacuation. The evacuation and cordons ensured public safety.
"Winchester's full emergency plan was implemented, bringing together agencies from across the City.
"I would like to thank the community and businesses for their patience and cooperation while we responded to this security threat. Given the extremely rare nature of such a specific threat the policing response, though clearly impactive to the community, was proportionate to the potential threat posed.
"Fortunately no devices have been found. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the source of the call."
