Bomb scare leads to evacuation

Bank staff and customers who were evacuated from the bank stood on the Brian Lara Promenade. Independence Square from Abercromby Street to Frederick Street, Queen Street from Frederick Street and parts of Chacon Street were blocked off. Police officers searched the bank and the nearby Customs and Excise building.

According to reports, at 12.58 pm, the Port-of-Spain CID received the report from someone claiming to be the manager of Excellent Stores. Officers quickly alerted the fire services. Officers from Fire Headquarters on Wrightson Road responded to the call and several fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. When the firemen called the telephone number given by the police who took it from the anonymous caller, it was discovered that the number did not exist and no one from Excellent Stores had called in the police. In the end, searches by the Bomb Squad, firemen and the Police K9 unit, came up empty-handed. After the excitement died down and the firemen left, normalcy returned at the bank and Customs.

Police sources are reminding the public that it is an offence to make false reports and anyone caught doing so, will face the full brunt of the law.