Loughborough incident: Emergency services swarm town over 'hazardous substance'

Here is the full statement from the police. 

"Following initial testing, we can confirm that a substance found inside business premises in Baxter Gate is not believed to be hazardous.

"Further tests will be undertaken in due course, but the substance is believed to be salt and the call was made with good intent.

"Cordons and road closures which were put in place to keep the public safe have since been lifted.

"We would like to thank everyone for their co-operation and understanding during the emergency services response to the report."

"Further tests will be undertaken in due course, but the substance is believed to be salt and the call was made with good intent," Leicestershire Police said.

A road closure is currently in place on Baxter Gate while police deal with the incident, which invovled a "possibly hazardous substance". Here is another photo from the scene.

Here is a photo showing the police cordon.

A road closure is in place in Loughborough on Baxter Gate. 

All the emergency services attended, but now only police and ambulance are still at the scene. 

Leicestershire Police said a "possibly hazardous substance" was found at a business premises. Other shops in the area have been evacuated as a precaution, the force also said.

No serious injuries have been reported. 

Police said they will share more updates as soon as they are able to.

The fire service vehicles have all now left the scene but there are still 12 police cars, six ambulances and two EMAS response vehicles in Baxter Gate, Leicestershire Live reported.

Emergency service are currently at the scene and police said they will provide more updates as soon as they are able to. They added "no serious incidents have been reported". The Daily Express has contacted East Midlands Ambulance Service for updates.

Here is the police statement in full. 

"A cordon is currently in place in Baxter Gate in Loughborough.

"The cordon has been put in place following a report made shortly after 1pm that a potentially hazardous substance had been located inside business premises.

"The premises in question, along with others nearby, has been evacuated as a precaution. The cordon has been put in place to keep the public safe while emergency services respond to the incident.

"Road closures have also been put in place for this reason.

"Officers remain in the area and are working alongside colleague from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the East Midlands Ambulance Service to carry out further enquiries into the incident.

"No serious injuries have been reported at this time.

"We will provide further updates when we are able to."

Police also said businesses in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. 

The closure is in place due to a "potentially hazardous substance had been located inside business premises," Leicestershire Police said in a statement.

Here is an update shared by Leicestershire Police on X.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are currently attending an ongoing incident on Baxter Gate in Loughborough. Members of the public should avoid the area, and motorists should expect delays."

Emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident in Loughborough, Leicestershire. Baxter Gate is currently closed.