Evacuation at Old Trafford result of fake bomb left behind after training exercise

LONDON – Greater Manchester’s mayor has called for an inquiry into a security alert triggered by a fake bomb left behind at a sports stadium after a training exercise.

The discovery of the dummy bomb on Sunday prompted the evacuation of Manchester United’s stadium, Old Trafford. Police say the device discovered in a toilet just before kickoff had been left by a private company after a drill using search dogs.

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Mayor Tony Lloyd described the incident as a “fiasco” that put people in danger.

Police initially described the device as “incredibly lifelike” and cancelled United’s match with Bournemouth.

Sunday’s evacuation came amid tightened security at Premier League stadiums following last year’s Paris attacks that targeted the Stade de France stadium as well as cafes, bars and a concert hall.