November 20, 2019 10.33 am This story is over 52 months old

Man arrested over Skegness noxious substance shopping centre evacuation

Staff at the centre reported a suspicious “unknown substance”
The Hildreds Centre is enjoying a successful return to business. Photo: Google Maps

Police arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of a public order offence after the discovery of a suspicious substance led to the evacuation of a shopping centre in Skegness.

The Hildreds Centre called Lincolnshire Police at 4.27pm on Tuesday, November 19 over a suspicious “unknown substance.”

No one was injured and there seemed to be no long-lasting effects from the substance, so the centre was reopened that evening.

Investigations are ongoing and police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to call 101 and quote incident 301 of November 19.

Lincolnshire Police has since released the suspect on bail.

Investigators have not divulged any more information at the time of writing about the nature of the noxious substance that was discharged in the centre.

Lincolnshire Reporter has made enquiries with Lincolnshire Police.

Charles Spooner, Hildreds Shopping Centre, said: “There was an incident in the Hildreds shopping centre earlier today.

“Our security team acted swiftly to secure the centre contacted the police and emergency services immediately, who attended the centre.

“The safety and security of everyone in our centre is always our first priority and are supporting the police with their investigation.

“The centre was reopened following the incident and will open as normal tomorrow.”