White powder found outside Yeovil Wilkinsons branch 'harmless'

White powder found in Yeovil yesterday and sparked a major evacuation of a town centre shop was harmless, police said today.

Wilkinsons, on Middle Street, was closed in the early afternoon after an envelope containing "unidentified" white powder was found in a car park by the store.

Police said the envelope was opened in a private office in the shop before the emergency services were called. The office was isolated and shoppers and staff evacuated from the store.

A spokesman said yesterday: "The emergency services have put into place well-rehearsed plans for dealing with these incidents. There is no threat to the wider public but the shop has been closed as a precaution with public safety our primary concern."

The area was cordoned off until shortly after 6.30pm when Devon and Somerset Fire Service advised the white powder was harmless, police said.

Police thanked members of the public for their patience while the situation was dealt with.