U.K. Police Evacuate Part of Birmingham

The Associated Press reports police evacuated thousands of people from the entertainment district in central Birmingham on Saturday night because of intelligence suggesting a security threat:

British Broadcasting Corp. television reported that police had carried out several controlled explosions, a precaution to disarm objects suspected of being explosive devices.

There was no confirmation of any explosive devices being found.

Police initially restricted road traffic into the city center, but after receiving further intelligence they ordered an evacuation.

According to the BBC, about 20,000 people have been evacuated from Birmingham:

Police have said it was a "proportionate response" to the intelligence, but were not giving specific details.

Birmingham resident Kenneth Kelsall told the BBC: "There is a lot of confusion, there appears to be no chance of anyone moving back into the city - but people are remaining quiet."

[. . .]

The BBC's Zoe Gough said there was confusion and people were trying to find out information but there was no panic.

"Everybody is just being turned round and the main roads out of the city seem to be gridlocked, although traffic does seem to be moving," she said.

"I have seen some cars just pulled up and also people walking along with suitcases away from city centre as if they have been stranded there," she said.

Michele has more at The Command Post.

UPDATE: The BBC now reports that police confirm four controlled explosions had been carried out on a bus in Birmingham:

I don't believe that the incident that we are dealing with this evening is connected with the events of 7 July in London ACC West Midlands Police, Stuart Hyde

Officers now believe that the item destroyed on the bus near the Square Peg pub had not posed a threat.

Bomb disposal experts are now investigating another suspect package in the Broad Street area.