Armed police called to reports of gunman at Stevenage station - but find man with sandwich

Suspicious item: a sandwich was mistaken for a gun
Rex
Rachel Blundy20 November 2015
WEST END FINAL

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Armed police were called to reports of a gunman at a railway station in Hertfordshire - but discovered it was just a man with a sandwich.

A commuter dialled 999 after spotting a man acting suspiciously at Stevenage station yesterday afternoon.

Officers from Hertfordshire Police and the British Transport Police were sent to the scene and searched the area - only to find a man holding a carrier bag with his lunch inside.

Scare: Stevenage railway station
Google Street View

The bag was ruled to be safe shortly after the initial call at 4.40pm, police said.

Despite the chaos, Hertfordshire Police publicly thanked the "vigilant" rail user who reported the suspicious-looking man.

A police spokesman said: "Whilst this may sound light-hearted our thanks go to the vigilant member of the public who, concerned by what they saw, had the sense to ring the police who could take swift action.

"We would urge anyone else who is suspicious or concerned about anything they see or hear to do the same thing and contact us.

"At a time of heightened security the public has a crucial role to play in supporting the police in helping to keep our communities safe."

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