Police detonate suspicious package in downtown Winnipeg

WINNIPEG – Police have shut down a busy section of downtown Winnipeg after reports of a suspicious package.

Officers tell Global News they were called to the scene near Portage Avenue and Garry Street around 12:25 p.m. about a suspicious package. The bomb unit is on scene.

It appears officers are focusing their attention on a bag on top of a garbage bin.

WATCH: Police close off parts of downtown Winnipeg after reports of a suspicious package.

0:31 Suspicious downtown package shuts down traffic, forces evacuation

The incident has forced the evacuation of the main floor of the Vital Statistics building at 254 Portage Ave.

Traffic has been shut down on Portage Avenue at Garry Street in both directions and southbound Garry from Ellice Avenue  to Graham Avenue.

More to come