Police name suspect in Skegness shopping centre evacuation

They are seeking assistance to find Scott Rowen following the incident at the Hildreds Centre on Tuesday.

A 25-year-old man was arrested after police received reports of a noxious substance being released, resulting in the centre being evacuated..

Witnesses who were at the Hildreds Centre in Lumley Road yesterday afternoon have spoken of 'yobs spraying something at staff in JD Sports to get away'.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, including four Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue crews from Skegness, Wainfleet, Spilsby, Boston and Market Rasen.

Charles Spooner, Director at NewRiver, owners of Hildreds Shopping Centre said: “There was an incident in the Hildreds shopping centre,

"Our security team acted swiftly to secure the centre contacted the police and emergency services immediately, who attended the centre.

"The safety and security of everyone in our centre is always our first priority and are supporting the police with their investigation.

"The centre was reopened following the incident and will open as normal tomorrow (Wednesday).”

A police statement reads: "We were called to an incident at the Hildreds Centre in Skegness at 4.27pm on Tuesday to a report of an unknown substance.

"The building was evacuated as a precautionary measure. No one was injured and there were no long lasting effects of the substance.

"The man who was arrested has been released on bail and investigations are ongoing."

Anyone who witnessed this incident can call police on 101, quoting 19000620492 of November 19 or email [email protected]

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org

Meanwhile, centre manager Steve Andrews says it's business as usual and preparations are continuing at the shopping centre for the Christmas lights switch-on, which takes place on Friday, November 29.