UPDATE: Lincoln Castle and crown court re-opened to public following evacuation

Lincoln Castle has re-opened and cases have resumed at Lincoln Crown Court after the area was evacuated this morning.

Police had closed the site following a ‘threat to public safety’.

However, police say they are now content the site is safe.

“The grounds of Lincoln Castle, where the Crown Court is situated, were also closed to the public but have now reopened,” a Lincolnshire Police statement read.

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“Following the earlier evacuation of the castle, we have now completed our searches of the area and have found no items that would pose a risk to public safety and are content that the site is safe.

“The public are now able to go back into the grounds.”

The court was evacuated shortly after 11.30am after Lincolnshire Police were called to the scene.

All jurors, barristers, court staff and defendants were asked to leave the building.

An earlier statement issued by police read: “Lincoln Castle has been evacuated after we received a call from a member of the public reporting a threat to public safety in the area.”