A SHOPPER at a charity shop caused a market town square to shut after giving a “suspicious item” was given as a donation.
Army explosive experts rushed to Barnardo’s charity shop in Llanrwst, North Wales after a firework was found in a bag.
Cops from North Wales Police and the fire service were also called to the scene.
An Army spokesperson said said their Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded to the concerned report from Barnardo’s.
They added: “The items were examined by an EOD Operator and identified as commercial fireworks. They were safely recovered from the scene for disposal.”
A local shopkeeper visiting the charity shop spotted the items in a big bag before raising the alarm to staff.
He said: “There was a big holdall containing wetsuits. There were also flares – like big crayons – which could have ignited and gone off.”
A North Wales Police spokesman said: “The item, which had been donated to the store, was suspected to be an explosive device.
“A temporary cordon was imposed around the building whilst Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers attended to inspect the reported item.
“It was subsequently established that the device posed no threat to the public and it was safely disposed of by fire officers.”
It comes just days after cops plunged a number of streets into lockdown after a grenade was reportedly handed into another charity shop.
Police and explosives teams swarmed Wharf Street South in Leicester, after reports of the explosive.
The grenade was reportedly contained in a box which was then handed into a high street charity store, according to cops.
Leicestershire Police told people to avoid the area following the news.
Drivers were also been urged to avoid the area during the chaos.
The grenade was allegedly found at an Age UK furniture warehouse on Gladstone Street, reports Leicestershire Live.
Images from the outlet showed the army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal at the scene of the incident.
Leicestershire Police said: “We were called to Gladstone Street in Leicester just after 2.05pm this afternoon (18 November) after concerns were raised about a grenade that was found in a box that was being donated to a charity shop.
“In the interests of safety there are some road closures in place in the area, around a car park.
“The army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit have been called to assist officers.”
