THOUSANDS of people were evacuated from the BIC in Bournemouth after a hoax threat.

Police, fire and ambulance were sent to Exeter Road around 11.35am on Wednesday following reports of malicious communications to the mobile phones of a number of people.

A careers and apprenticeship show was taking place at the venue, attended by thousands of teenagers and businesses.

​Officers, including armed police, cordoned off the building and shut roads around the town centre as a precaution.

However, following a search of the BIC, nothing untoward was found and people were allowed back into the building.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "It is believed that the threat was a hoax and an investigation has been launched. We take hoaxes extremely seriously. They divert police resources and cause disruption and alarm to the public.


"We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation following the evacuation and road closures which were entirely necessary due to the nature of the threat received."

During the evacuation the force reassured parents over the safety of their children, saying they were taking every precaution and moving them to a place of safety.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 26:161, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.