Birmingham New Street: Update on ‘suspicious item’ found on platform

A suspicious item was found on a platform at Birmingham New Street train station on Monday afternoon (October 31) causing travel chaos in the process.

Hundreds of passengers’ travel plans were thrown into disarray after the alarming discovery was found on platform one. Police and ambulance crews raced to the station and erected a 100m cordon at around 3pm.

British Transport Police (BTP) evacuated the station as they assessed the item. There were reports that it was a ‘fake grenade’, but the BTP have now confirmed the item was actually a cannabis grinder designed to look like a grenade. Crowds of people were seen outside the train station as the commuter rush hour journeys were about to begin around 4pm.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Officers received a report of a suspicious item on a platform at Birmingham New Street at 3pm today (31 October).

“The station has been evacuated as a precaution and a cordon is in place while specialist officers attend to assess the item.”

The station opened later on in the evening, with services returning to normal. National Express West Midlands buses had been accepting rail tickets earlier as the statino was evacuated. Passengers already on trains hoping to disembark at New Street were having to remain in carriages, with trains returning to the nearest alternative station while the incident continues.

Reaction on social media

Eyewitnesses on social media reported panicking passengers rushing to leave the station following the incident last night.

One twitter user said: “It was mayhem, apparently train drivers were telling passengers the station was closed because someone had found a hand grenade on the platform.

“It’s shocking if true.”

Another said: “Chaos in Brum after rumour of a bomb threat. Take it easy people!”