A bomb threat at the Mayflower Cruise Ferry terminal in Southampton sparked a major police response and the evacuation of parts of the city’s port earlier today.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed they were called at 11:46am following reports that a man had claimed to have an explosive device. A 200-metre cordon was established, and access to the port was restricted while armed police and specialist search teams examined a lorry at the scene.

The man was arrested without incident. After a thorough search, officers confirmed no explosive device was found, and they were “satisfied there is no risk to the public.”

During the incident, operations at the port — including boarding for P&O’s Ventura cruise ship — were temporarily suspended. One passenger described seeing “about nine armed police cars and 20 officers with rifles” swarm the car park, with the captain announcing that the vessel was in a “bomb zone” and instructing passengers to evacuate certain areas.

Traffic in the area was heavily disrupted as Dock Gate 10 was closed to vehicles, with delays reported around the waterfront. The closure has since been lifted, and normal port operations have resumed.

Police have not yet confirmed the man’s identity or any possible motive.