Birmingham New Street station was evacuated after ‘suspicious item’ found sparking delays across network

A MAJOR UK train station was evacuated today, sparking rail chaos, after a "suspicious item" was found.

Hundreds of commuters were told to leave Birmingham New Street, which is one of the busiest stations in the country, and to get "as far away as possible" this afternoon.

CrossCountry Trains said that all lines at the station were shut down, with delays across their entire network.

Major disruption lasted for around two hours, but the station has since reopened, according to the British Transport Police.

One person claiming to be a passenger on a train entering the station said the train announcer told them a "grenade" had been found on platform one.

However, British Transport Police later confirmed that it was a cannabis grinder made to look like an explosive.

Passengers were reportedly told to move as far away from the building as possible.

Twitter user Tamsin Parnell wrote: "Just got evacuated from Birmingham New Street station and told to move as far away from the station as possible.

"That was scary!"

Another user reported that undercover police vehicles and ambulances were on the scene.

British Transport Police and Network Rail both confirmed that a "suspicious item" had been found on the platform.

A BTP spokesperson said: "Officers received a report of a suspicious item on a platform at Birmingham New Street at 3pm today

"The station has been evacuated as a precaution and a cordon is in place while specialist officers attend to assess the item."

A later tweet read "The item has now been assessed by specialist officers and is no longer being treated as suspicious.

"New Street station will be re-opening shortly."