Leisure centre reopens after evacuation

Alex McIntyre
BBC News, West Midlands
Herefordshire Council Entrance to Hereford Leisure Centre, with the name in yellow letters above the door.Herefordshire Council
Hereford Leisure Centre was forced to evacuate after a "serious threat" was made

A leisure centre has reopened after an evacuation on Thursday evening due to security concerns.

Hereford Leisure Centre was closed after a threat was made by an anonymous caller, West Mercia Police said.

A 200m (980 feet) cordon was put in place while officers searched the building.

A statement posted on the leisure centre's Facebook page and website said it would reopen on Friday "for all activities".

West Mercia Police confirmed the cordon was lifted after no bomb, or any other threat, was found during the search.

Insp Julie Watson said: "Understandably, the evacuation of the leisure centre yesterday will have raised concern for those present and the local community."

It was "vitally important" officers took steps to ensure the threat was not genuine and there was no risk to public safety, she added.

Police have launched an investigation into the nature of the call to try and identify the person who made it.

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