STAFF at York Police Station were evacuated after two unexploded artillery shells were brought into reception.
A concerned member of the public is understood to have found the shells and taken them into the front counter.
The building was evacuated and a 100-metre cordon put up.
Staff were evacuated at 10.45am yesterday and were allowed back inside more than two hours later after the Army took the shells away to dispose.
A police spokeswoman said: “Fulford Road police station in York was evacuated to allow the Army’s bomb disposal unit to assess and make safe two historic artillery shells that were handed into the police station.
“A 100-metre cordon was put in place as a precaution, which also resulted in a nearby business premises being evacuated to ensure the safety of their staff.
“The Army’s bomb disposal unit arrived at 1pm, declared the devices safe and took them away for disposal.
“The incident did not affect North Yorkshire Police’s Force Control Room where it was business as usual.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here