Police were called to High Wycombe at around 11am on Monday, June 1, after a “suspicious package” was found in a car near the town centre.

Buildings on Queen Victoria Road and St Marys Street were evacuated on Monday morning amid safety concerns over a package found in a car parked outside the police station.

Employees at a number of businesses in the area and workers at Buckinghamshire Council’s Wycombe office were ushered towards emergency meeting points as officers put a cordon in place and launched an investigation.

The incident also caused traffic to build up through the town centre, with some drivers honking their horns and queues backing up onto the ‘magic roundabout at the junction of the A40 and A404.

One passerby expressed ‘frustration’ to the Free Press at being unable to reach their van, parked on St Marys Street, to recover their work materials.

They said the incident had put a “stop” to their day, adding: “All my stuff is in the van – I bought a ticket, put it in, and then got told to exit the street.

“What’s frustrating is that you don’t know what’s happening. Nobody keeps you informed.”

Thames Valley Police warned drivers and pedestrians to avoid the town centre and at 12:30pm announced that a man had been arrested under the Explosives Act.

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Mears said: “There is no indication that this is related to terrorism, but we are keeping an open mind.”

By 2pm on Monday, the police cordon had been lifted, and a few hours later, police confirmed that the package had been judged to be non-dangerous.

DC Mears said: “The package has been examined and is not of concern. Thank you to local residents, businesses and visitors to the town for their patience while the cordon was in place for everyone’s safety.”

The man arrested in connection with the incident is reportedly still in police custody.  

High Wycombe’s last bomb scare was just over 12 months ago in March 2023, when a teenager was arrested for storing “explosive substances” in his bedroom near Amersham Hill.

Access to the area was closed off for several hours, including access to the train station.

Jack Coleman pleaded guilty to possession of an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose at Aylesbury Crown Court in November.

He was given a hospital order after being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.