IT WAS a major incident that sparked panic throughout the city.

However, police are still refusing to give details regarding the suspicious package that prompted a huge emergency response.

Hampshire Constabulary have deemed it "not necessary" to disclose what the package looked like after it was found in the mail room of a Carnival UK building in Southampton on Wednesday.

But a spokesperson has confirmed that the package is under investigation despite being deemed "safe" at the scene.

The investigation follows the incident on Harbour Parade after police and fire services cordoned off the road from the junction of West Quay Road to the Pirelli Street roundabout.

Police cars, fire engines, ambulances and incident response units were called to the building at 11.14am on Wednesday.

Officials closed off the Carnival UK carpark and also cordoned off the entrance to the Westquay multi-storey carpark.

It is not yet known what the contents of the package was or how it came to be there.

The Echo approached Carnival UK for a comment but they have yet to reply.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: “Our hazardous materials team is working with police to identify the contents of a suspicious package that was discovered on Harbour Parade in Southampton.

“Crews from St Mary’s and our specialist hazardous materials crew from Winchester are at the scene.”

A spokesperson from South Central Ambulance Service said: “We got that call at 11:48 and we sent to the scene three ambulance officers and our Hazardous Area Response Team.

“Our SCAS resources worked on scene with partner agencies in response to the situation.

“Thankfully no-one was injured as a result and our Hazardous Area Response Team and ambulance officer have now been stood down from the incident.”

A spokesperson for Westquay said: “An external incident occurred today which meant we had to close our car park for a short period of time.

“The safety and security of our shoppers and staff is paramount and we worked closely with the police to reopen the car park as soon as possible.”