OFFICERS have confirmed that a suspicious package found this morning in Whilton Road, Kingsthorpe, is no longer being treated as a suspicious.

Detective Chief Superintendant Simon Blatchly, who led the investigation, said: “Following the discovery of the package we initiated an evacuation of the immediate area and called in the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, we also put in place a traffic diversion in the area.

“These steps were taken as a precautionary measure and following a small controlled explosion, we can confirm that the device found was not a bomb.

“We have established that the device was in fact made for a school play and later disposed of.

“I would like to stress the importance of disposing of such items in a responsible manner. Thankfully in this case the package was not an explosive device, however, we need to take any reports seriously and as such this incidents has resulted in the use of extensive resources, including police, fire and rescue, ambulance, regional Counter Terrorism Unit, emergency planning, and Highways.

“The evacuation and diversions have caused significant disruption, and I would urge anyone who is disposing of unwanted props to do so responsibly.”