EMERGENCY services were called to Durham Passport Office last night after reports of a suspicious package.
Police said a passport was delivered which was thought to contain hazardous material.
An ambulance, a fire engine and vehicles from Durham Constabulary's Incident Response Unit attended the scene on Framwelgate Waterside.
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "We were called at 9.20pm last night (July 22) after a passport was delivered to the Passport Office in Durham City containing what was thought to be potentially hazardous material.
"Experts from the fire service also attended who analysed and tested the passport and concluded there was no cause for concern.
"The incident was brought to a close shortly after 1am this morning."
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