A DRIVER who parked illegally in the centre of Durham this morning sparked a security alert.
Durham Constabulary received a number of reports at about 8.30am of the car parked in an unusual place in Saddler Street - close to the Co-op Bank and Prince Bishops Shopping Centre.
A number of officers were sent to the scene and - given the current heightened security alert - asked nearby residents and businesses to evacuate while the area was sealed off.
However, officers were able to locate the owner. Inspector Steve Dowdle of Durham Police said: “It turned out that it was innocent and nothing untoward."
A spokesman for the force thanked people for their vigilance and said extra officers would be on patrol over the Bank Holiday weekend.
He said the car was swiftly removed, adding: "It was actually someone who had parked illegally.
"He was subsequently given a fixed penalty notice."
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