Hotel guests in Northampton evacuated after 'threat made against Premier Inn'

UPDATE: Police “satisfied there is no explosive device” in the Premier Inn. Read more here: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/crime/police-satisfied-there-is-no-explosive-device-in-northampton-premier-inn-following-threat-3829471

UPDATE: Northamptonshire Police has confirmed the threat as a bomb. Read more here: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/crime/threat-to-premier-inn-in-northampton-was-a-bomb-police-confirm-3828818

A major police incident in Northampton has seen hotel guests evacuated in the middle of the night.

Guests at the Premier Inn were evacuated from the hotel at about 3am (September 2) after intelligence was received that there may be a threat directed towards the hotel premises.

There is a major police and fire service presence at the hotel and a cordon has been set up.

Superintendent Sarah Johnson from Northamptonshire Police said: “At the moment, the response we’ve put in place is a precautionary measure as we work with staff and our partners to return people to the hotel as soon as possible.

“A 50 metre cordon has been put in place while out specialist teams search the premises and we expect them to be on scene for the next few hours.

“The guests from the hotel are in the care of the local authority and we’re working to return the area back to normality as quickly as possible.”

One person told Chronicle & Echo that her family member was evacuated from the hotel at 3am and taken to The Guildhall where the Red Cross are set up.

A guest who has been evacuated said police have informed them that they will be able to go back to the hotel in around two hours if “nothing significant is found”. Guests have not been told what police are looking for just that there is a “significant danger to the building”.

St John’s Halls of Residence has not been evacuated, but university leaders are in contact with police.

A University of Northampton spokeswoman said: “We are aware of an ongoing incident at the Premier Inn in the St John's area of Northampton.

“At this time, we have not been advised to evacuate the St John's Halls of Residence, but we remain in close conversation with Northamptonshire Police to ensure the continued safety of our students, staff and community.”

Members of the public are advised to avoid the area.

More to follow.