November 21, 2019 10.22 am This story is over 52 months old

Police hunt wanted man after ‘substance attack’ at Skegness shopping centre

Have you seen Scott Rowen?
Have you seen Scott Rowen?

Lincolnshire Police are hunting a 27-year-old man after a “substance attack” led to the evacuation of a Skegness shopping centre.

Scott Rowen is wanted in connection with a public order offence at the Hildreds Shopping Centre on November 19.

Police told Lincolnshire Reporter that all of the people involved in the incident were known to each other. They also believe is was “not a random attack.”

Officers arrested and bailed a 25-year-old after the discovery of a suspicious substance in the centre.

No one was injured and there seemed to be no long-lasting effects from the “unknown substance,” so the centre was reopened on Tuesday evening.

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.

Hildreds Shopping Centre needed to be evacuated. Photo: Google Maps

Lincolnshire Reporter has made enquiries with Lincolnshire Police.

Charles Spooner, Hildreds Shopping Centre, said at the time: “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.”