An author has been left “shaken” after being evacuated from Blackwell’s following a bomb scare in Oxford city centre.

The Abingdon writer was in the bookshop’s cafe when an announcement was played over the intercom asking all staff and customers to remain in the building.

Police were called to the city centre on Monday morning after receiving reports of a device in Broad Street and swept the area.

READ MORE: Police search city centre for 'device' as public evacuated from area

After evacuating people from the area and placing cordons on major city streets, officers confirmed that no devices were found.

Ali Mercer said people in the cafe were left “shocked” and “couldn't really believe what was happening."

She said: “I settled at a table, thinking there could hardly be a better place to be locked down.

“The mood in the cafe was calm, I think people were a bit shocked and almost couldn't really believe what was happening, or what might be happening. Definitely no panic.

“A few people went over to the window to look out, then went back to chatting.

“I had a window seat, but all I could see was that the cordon had been moved further along Broad Street, past Blackwell's.”

Customers inside the bookshop were then evacuated onto the street.

She added: “Then there was another announcement over the intercom saying that we had all been asked to evacuate, and could everybody please calmly leave the building.

“So, calmly, we did, leaving our coffees undrunk.

“Outside, we could see people standing on the other side of the cordons on the side streets off Broad Street.

“We moved along, and the police cordon was then moved a little further along towards the end of Broad Street, past Trinity College and Balliol.

ALSO READ: Major Oxford road closes due to police incident

“There was now quite a crowd on the other side of the cordon, on Cornmarket Street.

“No panic, people waiting patiently for the cordon to be lifted, or looking confused and trying to work out how to get to wherever they wanted to go.

"I was very relieved to hear the cordons had been lifted and businesses open again.

"I think it is reassuring to know that prompt action is taken when the police believe there is a threat."

Ms Mercer took to social media to reveal the incident gave her flashbacks to the Brixton bombing in 1999 despite the Oxford incident being a false alarm.

 

She said: “I witnessed the aftermath of the Brixton bombing in 1999 - I lived on Brixton Hill at the time and was walking towards Brixton centre when it happened.

“I remember glass on the ground, confusion, that time before the emergency services arrive that seems very long, even though it isn't, people shocked and milling round, not knowing what is going on.

“How unreal it felt, like something out of a film.

“I was unhurt, but that was a truly shocking and appalling incident to witness, an attempt to strike at a community that left passers-by with really serious injuries.”