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'No item of interest found': Police investigating university 'threat'

Carla Mascarenhas
Updated April 26 2024 - 5:45pm, first published 4:32pm
Sydney University is one of the top higher education institutions in Australia. Picture: Sydney University
Sydney University is one of the top higher education institutions in Australia. Picture: Sydney University

An evacuation of a prestigious Sydney university over a bomb scare has failed to find any items of interest.

At around midday on April 26 emergency services responded to reports of a 'threat' at the University of Sydney on City Road, Camperdown, near Sydney's CBD, where a lockdown was initiated.

An exclusion zone was in place and police urged people to avoid the area.

Police declined to comment on the specific nature of the threat.

At 4.30pm - following an extensive search of the location - the lockdown was lifted, according to NSW Police.

"No items of interest were located and there were no reports of any person being injured," a spokesperson said.

An investigation is ongoing.

According to the the university's student publication Honi Soit, Fisher Library, the New Law Building and the Abercrombie Business School were all evacuated with students moved a safe distance from all the buildings.

The publication said NSW Police were patrolling other campus buildings includingThe Regiment and the Darlington House.

Campus security initially told students exiting the library that this was a preplanned drill, but police have confirmed there was an operation.

Sydney University did not respond to media requests, directing media inquiries to NSW Police.

Carla Mascarenhas

Carla Mascarenhas is the NSW correspondent covering breaking news, state politics and investigations. She is based in Sydney. Contact her on carla.mascarenhas@austcommunitymedia.com.au