Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire evacuated due to 'suspicious incident' as cops urge residents t

A CATHEDRAL has been evacuated after a man was spotted acting suspiciously today.

Witnesses said armed officers rushed to Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire, as the country remains on high alert after the Manchester bombing.

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Staffordshire Police confirmed officers were at the scene and had evacuated the area in Lichfield, saying: "Specialist officers are currently undertaking a search of the Cathedral after a member of the public reported concerns about a man who she believed to be acting in a suspicious way at the site.

"All our measures remain precautionary at this time and we are not aware of any specific threat to the location."

The force urged members of the public to remain calm as they searched the area.

Our team evacuated the cathedral today (30th) after a suspicious incident & is now working with @StaffsPolice as investigations continue...

We’re not aware of any specific threat & are working to reopen ASAP. Our Mr Turner exhibition will be closed today, unless advised otherwise

Police had earlier announced the evacuation, saying: "We are not aware of any specific threat to the location, however we continue to ask the public to report any concerns in view of the current, national, threat level and as a precautionary measure officers are investigating the report."

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Lichfield Cathedral tweeted about the incident, saying: "Our team evacuated the cathedral today (30th) after a suspicious incident & is now working with @StaffsPolice as investigations continue.

"We’re not aware of any specific threat & are working to reopen ASAP. Our Mr Turner exhibition will be closed today, unless advised otherwise".

It was later decided that the cathedral would remain closed from the public for the rest of the day.

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A witness told The Sun Online the cathedral had been evacuated, with the area entirely sealed off.

She said police, paramedics and armed police were all present.

In video footage of the scene, people can be standing outside the cathedral as police stand by.

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