An investigation has begun into the origins of the hoax
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No explosives have been discovered at the Premier Inn in Northampton after reports of a bomb threat led to a huge emergency response operation. The hotel was evacuated today and of the St John's area of Northampton town centre was closed off for the public's safety.
Northamptonshire Police announced just before 3pm that "a policing operation set up to respond to reports of a bomb threat in the St John’s area of Northampton has come to an end with officers satisfied that there was no explosive device at the building in question."
The area is now reopen to the public and work is underway to return guests to the hotel. A criminal investigation has also now been launched into the threat and the origin of the report received by police.
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Police first announced they were attending a "concern for welfare" incident in the St John's area of Northampton at around 6.30am. It then emerged that guests at the Premier Inn on Swan Street were evacuated from the hotel at about 3am this morning after police received intelligence that there may be a bomb inside the hotel.
Emergency services were called to the scene, including a mobile command unit in a nearby car park, fire engines, first response ambulances and PCSCOs. Swan Street was closed and a 50m cordon was put in place around the area as these officers searched the premises.
Officers from West Midlands Police and Thames Valley Police were also on the scene to assist with the operation. In a video interview earlier today, Chief Inspector Nathan Murray said the operation was a "precautionary measure to deal with this threat we have received and make sure everyone is safe."
Specialist officers and explosive detection dogs were on the scene for much of the day, searching the hotel to make sure the area was safe. A drone was also flown across the site for an aerial sweep of the premises. 
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It is understood that guests evacuated from the Premier Inn were cared for in the nearby Guildhall building by the British Red Cross. The Red Cross reportedly provided them with blankets, water, phone charger, shoes, clothes, food, and hot drinks.
Superintendent Sarah Johnson said: “Following an extensive search, we are satisfied that there is no explosive device at this location and members of the public can now return to the area. The guests from the hotel are still in the care of the local authority and we’re working with them and with the hotel to get those people back to normality as quickly as possible.
“Protecting people from harm in Northamptonshire is our highest priority and I hope our response today reassures people of the seriousness with which we take threats such as this. Finally, I’d like to thank all the guests and the residents in the local area for their understanding and patience today, as well as our partners at West Northants Council, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Police, Thames Valley Police and the East Midlands Ambulance Service, for their assistance.”
Northants Police also confirmed a criminal investigation into the threat and the origin of the report was begun earlier today and continues.
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