Asda headquarters evacuated after 'suspicious package' sent to supermarket offices

Asda's headquarters has been evacuated after a "suspicious package" was sent to the offices.

West Yorkshire Police responded to reports of the item having been sent to Asda House, on Great Wilson Street in Leeds, at approximately 11.15am on Monday morning.

Following the discovery of the “suspicious package”, police say the building has been "evacuated as a precaution and a cordon is in place".

Footage and images on social media show the headquarters’ workers outside the premises on grassland on a road opposite Asda House.

Emergency services are currently at the scene and an Army explosive ordnance disposal team is also in attendance.

Motorists are being urged to avoid the area while emergency services deal with the situation.

Police said: "The building has been evacuated as a precaution and a cordon is in place." A spokesperson for Asda said everyone within the building had left "safely".

Officers urged the public to avoid the area while emergency services deal with the "ongoing incident", and motorists are advised to find alternate routes due to nearby road closures.

Video footage from the scene has shown a bomb disposal device being wheeled out of the back of an Army truck towards the premises.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "Motorists and members of the public are advised to avoid the Great Wilson Street area of Leeds city centre while emergency services deal with an ongoing incident.

"At 11.16am this morning, police received reports of a suspicious package having been sent to Asda House, Great Wilson Street, Leeds. Emergency services are currently at the scene and an Army EOD team has been called to attend.

"The building has been evacuated as a precaution and a cordon is in place. Motorists are asked to find alternative routes due to nearby road closures."