Bomb disposal officers carried out a controlled explosion in central Brighton last night.
The city is on high security alert in the run-up to the Labour party conference.
People were quickly evacuated from Russell Road and the Brighton Centre after police were alerted to a suspicious container at the rear of the Centre.
The area was sealed off shortly after 6pm and a bomb disposal team carried out a controlled explosion a little over an hour later.
Police said the suspect article turned out to be a tool box which had been left unattended.
It was found during the search and security operation which is already in place in preparation for next week's conference.
The Brighton Centre is one of the venues due to play host to Labour delegates.
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