Bomb scare at Sydney shopping centre
A man has been arrested after a police operation at Westfield Shopping Centre in Hornsby after reports of a suspicious package this afternoon.
There were unconfirmed reports of a man walking into the Blu Water Grill cafe with a bag saying it was a bomb.
A spokesman for Westfield said it is only a small outdoor area of the centre that is affected.
Cafe manager Arthur Chan told 2GB that the man who apparently left the bag behind left a $15 tip for the waiter and then when he was told he had left a bag behind he said 'You can have that, there is a bomb in there'.
Mr Chan calmly explained his staff took the threat seriously and they called the centre security and police arrived shortly after and evacuated the area.
UPDATE: Hornsby. One man in custody during police operation. No further information available at this time.
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) February 13, 2015
Police have closed Hornsby Mall because of a bomb scare. pic.twitter.com/dAaCCdMknS
— Tracey Findlay (@tracey_findlay) February 13, 2015
@MarkDiStef @neilogd pic.twitter.com/Yrwrya8CCZ
— Amy Forbes (@Amy_BlackSheep) February 13, 2015
People are urging members of the public to stay clear of the area.
The shopping centre and surrounding roads are taped off by police.
News break – February 13