13 June 2024 , 21:38
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A ‘suspicious device’ was discovered at the offices of the Conservative Party in Horsham, West Sussex, with just weeks to the General Election.
Army bomb disposal experts swarmed the HQ in Madeira Avenue after the alarm was raised earlier today.
It is believed the package was delivered to the Conservative Association at some point yesterday.
The Tory party office is used by the MP for Horsham, Jeremy Quin who served as minister of state for crime, policing and fire under prime minister Liz Truss for a few weeks.
Nearby homes have been evacuated (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)
Sussex Police, fire and rescue are at the scene of the incident. Homes on Madeira Avenue have been evacuated in the last few hours.
It remains unclear who delivered the package and what is inside, but Mr Quin said there is ’cause for alarm’.
He said: ‘After the receipt of a suspicious parcel at my Horsham office earlier today the police decided that the incident should be escalated and specialists from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team were called in.
‘It is still under investigation but there is no cause for alarm and the incident is being thoroughly and professionally addressed.’
A spokesperson for the police said: ‘Police received a report of a suspicious package at a premises in Madeira Avenue, Horsham, at about 2.40pm this afternoon.
‘Police and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team are currently at the scene.
‘If anyone in the area has concerns, they can speak to an officer at the scene, or call 101.
‘Further updates will be provided in due course.’