‘Suspicious item’ locks down Parramatta CBD
POLICE have opened up streets in Parramatta business district again after a lockdown following a ‘suspicious item’ being discovered near the court precinct.
Parramatta
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POLICE have open up Parramatta’s main street again after a lockdown following reports of a “suspicious item” being found outside the courthouse.
The object was found at the corner of George Street and Marsden.
“About 6.40am emergency services were called to the intersection ... No further information is available at this time,” a police spokeswoman said.
By about 10am police had opened the area again but had not yet said what the suspicious item had been.
Photos from the scene had shown lots of police as well as fire crews while police tape had been pulled across George St.
Everyone in parramatta heading towards their impending doom #IveBeenInTheCarFor2Hours pic.twitter.com/P0l5pj4oiZ
— Brynn Luker (@Brynnbub) February 12, 2018
During the lockdown Lawyer Pierre Hawach said it was similar to the days of the terror trials which were held in the Parramatta court.
“This happened very often during those terror trials,” Hawach said.
“My office is very close, but I can’t get through to any of my staff, this will hold up the court for the whole day I think.”
Four police patrol units had set up barricades at the end of Marsden St near the open Parramatta Park and on the opposite side at George St.
Despite the tense situation, crowds remain upbeat while the lockdown went on.
“It’s probably just a precaution,” lawyer Jacob Smith said.
“I used to work for a judge in the Federal Circuit Court and there was a big scare like this some years ago.”
Police had confirmed to bystanders that a “package” was found inside or close to the court, but had not revealed any other details
A police operation is underway at the intersection of George and Marsden Street, Parramatta. Pedestrians and motorists are urged to avoid the area.
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) February 12, 2018
“I’ve heard it’s a suspicious package. I think it might be a hoax, but they have to be careful,” bystander and local business man Chris Wilson had said.
“It’s possibly someone who had to go to court today.
“I heard it’s in one of the courts.”
The street had been taped off as a precaution, with police moving more than 200 onlookers hundreds of metres away from the building, which is the centre of Parramatta’s justice precinct and home to the Parramatta court.
According to a post on Facebook, the entire area had been evacuated
“Parramatta Justice Precinct has been evacuated! 8.17am still evacuated. No further news. Please share,” wrote Deidre Pinder on Facebook.
The closure had thrown George Street into chaos, with Western Sydney residents taking to social media to complain.
“It turns out I’m not getting to the office in a hurry,” Des Lee wrote on Twitter.
“What is going on in Parramatta near law precinct? Streets blocked off, traffic chaos. ?,” wrote another user.
