Fire and Police stand down after Pembroke incident

Fire crews, police and the Welsh Ambulance Trust's Hazardous Area Response team were on hand to deal with the potentially dangerous material.

Members of the fire service were seen to be wearing hazardous materials suits, on standby to help remove the suspicious object, and a decontamination tent was also set up.

At approximately 12.30, the services stood down, and began to remove their equipment from the car park below the castle.

Soon afterwards a member of the response team was seen carrying a clear plastic bag towards the emergency vehicles.

Initial analysis of the substance has shown that it does not contain a hazardous material, but further forensic work will be carried out.

PICTURE: Martin Cavaney.

Speaking after the incident, Mark McSweeney, police chief inspector for Pembrokeshire said: "There was a successful multi-agency approach to this suspicious incident.

"We have recovered the article and will be taking it away for forensic analysis.

"We thank the public for their understanding and want to offer our reassurance that we have dealt with this as quickly and as efficiently as we can."

A member of the public had reported finding a strange substance to police yesterday afternoon on the path which leads around the back of the castle.

There were also reports of a glass bottle found in Wogan Cavern under the castle.

A police car and cordon was stationed over night near Pembroke Castle last night (July 13).

The police cordon in Pembroke late last night. PICTURE: Martin Cavaney.

John Williams, who manages Pembroke Castle, said the historic site is due to remain closed for the rest of the day.

He also thanked the emergency services for their work at the castle.

Posting on Facebook after the incident, the castle's team said it will be open tonight for the Town Walls Trust's party at the castle.

There are plans to re-open the castle to the public tomorrow, see its Facebook page for more information.