Bomb hoax centred on local hotel prompts evacuation of neighbouring businesses

A bomb hoax yesterday afternoon (Sunday) led to a hotel and neighbouring homes and businesses to be evacuated.

The incident, which happened at around lunchtime, involved a call to police to say a bomb had been planted at the Elme Hall hotel in Wisbech.

As a result the hotel was cordoned off and sniffer dogs were deployed to check for possible devices.

Among the businesses affected were B&M, Morrisons and B&Q all located off Elm High Road close to the hotel.

Staff and customers were ordered out of the stores and told to remain outside while emergency services dealt with the incident.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police who initially took control of the incident said: "It is believed this was a hoax call and no such devices were found."

As the hotel is located on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border the incident was later handed to Norfolk Police who are investigating it as a hoax.