Police and bomb disposal units at Canterbury bus station during the security alerts

Today marks a year since Canterbury was brought to its knees by fake pipe bombs planted around the city.

A 51-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman are on bail suspected of being behind the hoax - which closed streets, shut down a central shopping area and saw homes evacuated on the afternoon and evening of Friday, August 26.

Police are remaining tight-lipped about the details of their investigation, but insist it is open and active as they work to bring the offenders to justice.

DCI Thomas Richards, who is heading the inquiry, said: "We are continuing to investigate the elaborate hoax bomb threats that affected Canterbury.

"Significant resources are committed to this inquiry and the team is interested in hearing from anyone with information."

Police said at the time the devices were calculated to look like pipebombs. They were bound in black tape, attached to a Sky television remote control and had wires protruding from them.

One was left by the Dover to Canterbury East railway line next to The Phoenix in Old Dover Road.

Police sealed off part of Canterbury city centre after a suspicious package was found

The other was placed inside the baby changing area of Marks & Spencer, where a smoke grenade triggered the fire alarm.

Canterbury was thrown into chaos as much of the Old Dover Road and a section of the city centre, which included Whitefriars, St George’s Street, St Margaret’s Street, Rose Lane and Watling Street, was shut off. It was 18 hours before normality was restored.

Police inquiries prompted two sets of CCTV images being released – one of a man in his late 30s or early 40s wearing sunglasses, a cap and cycling gear with a rucksack.

The other showed three women, who it is believed bought phones in London from which calls about the devices were made to the BBC and police.

CCTV images of a man in Whitefriars Shopping Centre released at the time of the bomb hoax

Neither set of images led to anyone being charged and put before the courts.

Brian Thompson, who runs the mobile phone trailer in St George's Street, believes many people are wondering why those responsible are still walking free.

The 55-year-old said: "It really is about time someone was nailed for this – that's what people will be thinking.

"This very badly affected Canterbury, this badly affected the market traders, the shops and everyone who comes to the city. I really hope someone is brought to justice."

Two weeks after the hoax, another device was found in Broad Street and destroyed by the Army and, a week later, a suitcase left in The Old Buttermarket sparked a panic before police gave the all-clear.