Police are treating the security threat at the universities of Medway in Chatham Maritime yesterday as a hoax.

Students and staff were cleared from the Drill Hall Library and Pilkington Building at around 2.30pm.

The library is used by students from the University of Kent, University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church University.

Police searched the campus after a member of staff received a suspicious phone call but no packages were found.

Alfie Tobutt, 19, a first year journalism student, was in the library when it was evacuated.

He said at the time: “A few police officers entered and apparently they were telling people to leave.

“Just as I was about to leave the security guard came over the PA system and said ‘get your stuff and get out the building’.

“Everyone left and we were just being pushed back further and further.”

Staff at the NHS offices and Vanquis bank were told to stay inside and away from their windows.

A person who works in the offices, who did not wish to be named, said: “The police came into our building asking everyone to stay away from windows and to draw the blinds due to the bomb scare.

“We have also been advised that we are allowed to leave at the end of the shift, but if you want to go to the co-op or for a cigarette you are unable to do so.”

A witness who works nearby, added: “They’re not letting anyone onto the campus either, even the employees with adequate identification.”

University of Greenwich students were sent an email just before 5pm which said: “The police have lowered the level of the threat to the Medway Campus but have advised staff and students to go home early.

“We would like to thank you for your cooperation and patience in this matter.”

The University of Kent said the library would remain closed until this morning, at the earliest.

The evacuation came just hours after the university’s Canterbury campus was evacuated following a suspicious phone call.

A university spokesman, said yesterday: “The security alert affecting the Universities at Medway campus is now over.

“With the exception of the Drill Hall Library reopening on Thursday morning, it is now business as usual on the campus.”

A police spokesman said: “Police carried out a search of the university after receiving information that a member of staff had received a suspicious call. No suspicious package was found.

“The incident is currently being treated as a hoax and officers are carrying out inquiries to locate the person who made the suspicious call to the university.”

This is how the story unfolded:

[Live Grid - Kent Uni evac 021215]