SECURITY camera footage is being checked by police after a suspect package was found at a busy shopping centre.

More than 1,000 customers and staff were evacuated after the second bomb scare in a week at The Mall Chequers, Maidstone on Sunday.

Part of King Street opposite the shopping centre was also cordoned off and the neighbouring Sainsbury’s store and carpark cleared shortly after 11am.

The all clear was given two hours later after a bomb disposal squad confirmed the package was harmless.

The incident happened just eight days after a bag, left in a lift well near the escalator leading to Sainsbury’s supermarket, aroused suspicion.

Bomb disposal experts and armed police were called to the scene. Once exploded it was found to contain only clothing.

Four men were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act following the scare which happened on July 9, two days after the terrorist attacks on central London.