YOUNGSTERS were escorted from nurseries, shoppers asked to down baskets and workers were ordered to halt work and go into the Worcester's streets.

It came as part of Worcester city centre ground to a halt following the discovery of a suspect package beneath the Elgar Statue in the High Street at 2.18pm yesterday.

Police have praised the public for their co-operation in the handling of the incident.

"We're appreciative of the way people responded to our officers to clear the area quickly," a South Worcestershire police spokesman said.

There was a genuine look of bafflement and concern on people's faces as they stood transfixed as police cordoned off an area around the statue, where the item was found.

Concerned

Council staff at the Guildhall were among the many who were evacuated by police - including the Mayor Allah Ditta, who sheltered from the rain under an umbrella outside the building.

"We found out from our reception who told us just to get out of the building," said solicitor Sarah Ingles, from Harrison Clark, based above the Portman Building Society, whose offices overlook the Elgar Statue.

"You've got to be concerned about it because you never know whether it's going to be something serious."

About 15 toddlers from the Playtech Nursery were moved from the St Wulstan's building, in Deansway, to Worcester College of Technology's main offices over the road.

However, the college was also evacuated and they had to wait in the rain on a green next to the Glover's Needle.

"We're always prepared but our main concern was getting the children away from the area," said Lorna Connolly, child care service manager.

Next store manager Tara Squires said a police officer went to the store and asked them to evacuate down the High Street but did not say why.

"We sounded the alarm and people started moving calmly," she said.

Red suitcase sparks city shoplifters into action

LOOTERS raided shops in Worcester High Street after the city centre was dramatically evacuated yesterday afternoon.

The drama unfolded at 2.16pm after city centre CCTV operators spotted the package - a red suitcase with what was believed to be a message attached - at the base of the Elgar Statue in the High Street.

Police were immediately alerted and a total of 30 officers and several police cars were soon positioned around the scene as a force helicopter circled above.

Police have confirmed opportunistic shoplifters were taking advantage of the drama to loot goods from High Street stores.

Nearby traders - and staff and students at Worcester College of Technology - were told to evacuate at around 2.45pm as police cordoned off a 200-yard containment area around the statue.

Others, such as Pat Wheeler, from the Diocesan Board of Education, found out by a telephone call from colleagues as she went to work.

"I was told there was a scare and I'd

struggle to get into Worcester," she said.

Motorists also faced traffic chaos as police closed roads to and from the adjacent Cathedral roundabout - Deansway and College Street - while MOD experts carried

out a controlled explosion - described as sounding like 'a loud, dull thud' at around 3.38pm.

Fire engines and ambulances also arrived in College Street, as hundreds of bystanders stood by the police cordons watching the drama unfold.

The roads remained closed as Scenes of Crimes officers collected evidence, with the High Street and Deansway re-opening at about 5pm, and College Street at about 8pm.

John Kendrick, Cathedral Plaza manager, which was also evacuated by police, praised officers.

"My only concern was for people's health and safety and the police did an excellent job of evacuating the area," he said. "After the initial confusion, people left their stores quickly and efficiently and the police were fantastic in helping them out."

A man has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and a woman arrested on suspicion of theft following an incident in the High Street yesterday.

Both have been bailed to report to Worcester Police Station while inquiries continue.

n Police are now appealing for witnesses who might have seen one or more people acting suspiciously - possibly carrying a red carrier bag bearing a note - before the item was discovered.

Anyone with information is asked to call 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.