A bomb disposal team was scrambled to Sittingbourne police station in the early hours of this morning following reports of a suspicious package.

Ministry of Defence officials cordoned off the area around Central Avenue from 2.15am while the item was examined.

Nearby residents took to social media to express their alarm after a number of emergency services vehicles arrived on the scene.

One wrote: “Just heard a very loud explosion at the entrance to Albany Road car park, can see police all over the place.”

Another person wrote on Facebook: “[There was] a yellow box beside the door which made the police come down and then they saw the package and they thought it was a bomb.”

A police spokesman said: “The item has been declared safe and there is no concern for public safety.

“A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.”

The cordon remained in place until 6.20am this morning.