Suspicious package at DHL which closed down Brackmills warehouses deemed safe by bomb disposal experts

A number of Northampton warehouses were cordoned off on Wednesday April 8 with workers evacuated and multiple emergency services on scene following the discovery of a ‘suspicious package’.

Police have now confirmed to the Chron on Thursday April 9 that the package was not suspicious and the warehouses have since reopened.

Workers were evacuated mid-shift from both the DHL Supply Chain and DHL Express warehouses in Gowerton Road on Wednesday morning at around 7.45am.

One DHL worker told the Chron: “We got evacuated and it is forbidden to go back. Waiting on the bomb squad.”

Police, fire and ambulance were all at the scene of the incident with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team seen arriving later in the morning.

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police told the Chron: “Officers were deployed at around 7.45am this morning following a report of a suspicious package at a DHL warehouse on Gowerton Road, on the Brackmills Estate in Northampton.

“As a precaution, the warehouse and surrounding area have been evacuated and a cordon put in place.

“Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is also in attendance, supporting police at the scene.

“Specialist officers are assessing the situation and enquiries are ongoing.”

A spokesperson for DHL Supply Chain said: “Our facility, along with several buildings on the Brackmills estate, has been evacuated as a precaution.

"Fire and police services are on site in line with standard safety procedures.

"The safety of our colleagues, customers, and the public remains our top priority. We expect to resume full operations shortly once all the required checks are complete.

"We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and patience.”

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said the coron was lifted at 3pm on Wednesday, adding: “The EOD examined it and deemed it not suspicious.”

A DHL spokesperson said: On the 8th April, our facility and several neighbouring buildings on the Brackmills estate were evacuated as a precaution. Fire and police services later confirmed that colleagues could return to the DHL Supply Chain and DHL Express sites. Both locations are now operating as normal.”