A SUITCASE found outside a primary school has been destroyed in a controlled explosion.

The school and neighbouring houses were evacuated this morning after a suspicious package was found in the Bensham area of Gateshead.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “After further enquiries, it is not believed the item was of any risk.”

The alarm was raised after the suitcase was discovered behind the independent Jewish school in Gladstone Terrace and the area was cordoned off by police for several hours.

Assistant chief constable Debbie Ford said: “The public’s safety is our priority and we were right to take this level of precaution and I thank everyone for their co-operation.

“We ask the public to remain vigilant and anyone with any concerns of suspicious activity should report it to police.”