In an update yesterday, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said access had been ‘fully restored' after no-one was found.

A trust spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that access to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was temporarily restricted this afternoon (5 October), whilst the police conducted a search for a member of the public on our grounds. We continued to deliver services for patients during this time and worked with the police to minimise disruption as far as possible. We would like to thank patients, visitors, staff and the police for their support.'

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: ‘We received a report at around 1pm today (Sunday 5 October) from a member of the public after they believed they saw someone acting suspicious outside the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

‘Officers responded and were at the site within minutes, and searches of the area were carried out.

‘Following initial enquiries and searches no one has been located and it is believed the call was made in good faith.

‘Officers are expected to remain on site while further enquiries are carried out, and anyone who is concerned is asked to speak to them directly.'