Cleaners trip town centre bank alarm

A anti theft alarm has been triggered at a town centre bank filling it with acrid smoke.

The Barclays Southport branch on Lord Street was evacuated this morning, not for the first time, after cleaners accidentally tripped an anti theft alarm which filled the building with special fog to deter would be thieves.

Merseyside Fire And Rescue have been called to ventilate the building and the bank will remain closed for the remainder of the morning while it is made safe for staff and customers.

The device has been tripped a number of times in the last few years with fire crews being called out at least three times to the bank for the same accident.