3 Lions pub Bristol: Everything we know so far on police incident in West Street Bristol

Police have ended a huge search operation triggered by a report of suspicious packages at The Three Lions pub in Bedminster today (October 9). Police had closed West Street for the search to be carried out.

More than a dozen officers had been stationed on and around the stretch of road along with police dogs and a specialist team using a drone. Meanwhile, people and businesses were evacuated from their homes.

Initially, Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident at 1.12pm - however, this was downgraded to a critical incident shortly after 4pm. And shortly after 9.15pm, police confirmed the search had ended after no items had been found.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of communicating false information in relation to an explosive device. The police force also revealed tonight that the alert was from a call from someone claiming to have left suspicous packages at the pub.

What Avon and Somerset Police have said

Shortly after 1pm, the force issued a statement which read: “Emergency services are attending an incident at a pub in West Street, Bedminster. Police were called to The Three Lions at 12:40pm after receiving reports of suspicious packages being left at the site.

“As a precaution, people have been evacuated from the pub and some nearby properties. A 50m cordon has been put in place and we’d ask members of the public to avoid the area at this time.

“A major incident has been declared while searches are carried out. We’s like to reassure people we have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with such incidents.”

Shortly after 4pm, a spokesperson continued: “Following review of current situation, it’s being treated as a critical incident instead, which is a lower threshold. We’re still advising people avoid the area while the precautionary cordon is in place.”

At just past 5.30pm, they added: “Searches of the area are continuing at the moment. Our number one priority is public safety and the cordon will remain in place until those searches are completed. We will continue to provide updates on the situation via this thread.”

And at around 9.30pm the force said the search had ended.

Inspector Richard Lang said: “We’d like to thank the public for their patience and understanding. We appreciate there will have been significant concern given the nature of the initial report to police – one that had to be taken seriously.

“We would like to reassure people there have been no items found that pose a risk to the public following searches by specialist teams. As such the cordon is in the process of being lifted.

“One man has been arrested in connection with this incident on suspicion of a false communication offence and he has been taken into custody.

What people in the area have said

From the cordon close to Parson Street railway station people could be seen being directed out of the exclusion zone, or being told to stay away on arriving at the scene.

One man, who did not want to be named, told Bristol World: “I didn’t know anything - I came out of my home and saw the place empty. A police officer then yelled at me to walk this way.

“I’ve just been told to leave the area for my safety.”

Councillor for Bedminster, Mark Bradshaw, tweeted that police had called him up to update him on the situation. He said: “Hope everyone stays safe and that the incident ends soon. Sorry that people have had to be evacuated as a necessary precaution.”

View from the scene

Apart from officers being kept busy by directing people away from the area, the view inside of the cordon is relatively still.

A drone was being prepared for lift-off while the odd officer can be seen walking up and down the street talking to colleagues. A police car with dogs inside was also parked up inside the cordon.

Due to the size of the cordon, it was difficult to see the Three Lions pub, although landlord Sean Donnelly could also be seen with police closeby.

Speaking to the BBC, he said he initially thought it was a joke.

He told the BBC: “A police officer rang up and said we had to evacuate.

“Then all of a sudden the police stormed in and we all had to get out. They put drones up and sniffer dogs have gone in, and we’re waiting on an army sniffer dog to search the site.”