Cheshire Police are searching for a suspect responsible for a hoax security alert that caused major disruption at Chester railway station and surrounding areas on Friday evening.

Incident Overview

The police received reports of suspicious activity involving two buses near Chester city centre at 5:09 pm on November 22. One bus was parked near Chester railway station, and the other was near the city’s bus interchange.

As a precaution, officers established a cordon and closed several nearby roads. Train services to Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport were suspended, while buses from the interchange were also halted.

Public Panic

Eyewitnesses described scenes of concern and confusion, with many passengers and pedestrians in the area expressing alarm. One witness told Cheshire Live: “There was quite a lot of panic when the area was cordoned off.”

Police Response

Specialist officers, including a bomb squad, were dispatched to the scene. After careful investigation, the situation was declared safe, and the train lines reopened around 7 pm.

In a statement, Cheshire Police said:
“At 5:09 pm today, Friday, November 22, police received a report of suspicious activity on two buses in Chester city centre. One was near the train station, and the other was near the bus interchange. As a precaution, a cordon was in place, and several roads were closed while the report was investigated. Following thorough checks, the area was deemed safe.”

Investigation Underway

Authorities have confirmed the incident was a hoax, and an investigation is now underway to locate the individual responsible. Disruption to services caused inconvenience for passengers and required significant resources from emergency services.

Cheshire Police have urged anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward.

Appeal for Information

If you witnessed suspicious activity in the area or have any relevant details, please contact Cheshire Police by calling 101, quoting reference 2311075503. Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

Impact of the Hoax

The incident caused delays to rail and bus services, affecting commuters during peak travel times. Authorities have emphasized the seriousness of hoaxes, which divert resources and disrupt public safety measures.

The public is reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.