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Part of Newcastle Uni closed after second suspicious item found Terrorism Unit in Newcastle University "suspicious item" probe
(about 4 hours later)
Part of Newcastle University had to be cordoned off after a second suspicious item was found. The discovery of suspicious items at Newcastle University is being investigated by the North East Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).
In an email, staff were told a "further suspicious substance" had been found and part of the campus was closed from 04:30 BST. A controlled explosion was carried out on items found earlier in the week and a "further suspicious substance" was found in the early hours of Thursday.
It came after two students were arrested following a controlled explosion on items earlier this week that prompted evacuations on campus. Part of the campus was cordoned off and evacuated after each discovery.
The police cordon was lifted by about 13:00 BST and the buildings reopened. Officers have been granted more time to question two Russian students arrested in connection with the events.
The King's Gate administration building and the INTO accommodation block were affected on Thursday. One, aged 18, was arrested in London on Tuesday on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act.
All students had been relocated to alternative accommodation on the university campus. The second, also 18, was arrested locally on Wednesday on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
Earlier, Ch Sup Laura Young said: "Overnight a small amount of a potentially suspicious substance has been recovered from the same location and will be removed from the building in due course." 'No immediate risk'
She said the building was evacuated "as a precaution" and the bomb disposal unit was called. The CTU said it would lead the inquiry because of the potential offences under investigation, but it would be working with Northumbria Police.
'No need for alarm' The CTU said there was "no evidence to suggest" students or anyone else were at immediate risk.
Police said they had been working closely with Newcastle University to keep disruption to a "minimum". "We recognise that people may have concerns as a result of this activity and would like to reassure them that precautions were taken at the earliest opportunity to ensure public safety while inquiries were undertaken," a representative said.
In the staff email earlier, registrar John Hogan said: "This morning the police, as part of their follow up work, found a further suspicious substance and the normal precautionary measures have been put in place. "We would ask people not to be alarmed and we are grateful for the patience and understanding of people locally."
"This means that early this morning from around 4.30am some parts of the university, to the south east around Percy Street and St Thomas Street, have been cordoned off. There is no need for alarm."
On Tuesday, the discovery of suspicious items prompted the evacuation of the INTO language unit.On Tuesday, the discovery of suspicious items prompted the evacuation of the INTO language unit.
A bomb disposal team later performed a controlled explosion on the Town Moor.A bomb disposal team later performed a controlled explosion on the Town Moor.
Two Russian students, both 18, remain in custody arrested in connection with the incident. University registrar John Hogan said in an email that "as part of their follow up work" police had found a further suspicious substance and had taken precautionary measures.
He said there was "no need for alarm".
The police cordon at the King's Gate administration building and the INTO accommodation block was lifted at about 13:00 BST and the buildings reopened.
Newcastle University caters for more than 22,000 UK and international students and has 1,200 academic staff.Newcastle University caters for more than 22,000 UK and international students and has 1,200 academic staff.
The INTO Centre offers facilities for more than 700 mainly international students and is spread over four floors.The INTO Centre offers facilities for more than 700 mainly international students and is spread over four floors.