POLICE have finally confirmed that a 'suspect package' found at an Oxford petrol station earlier this week was a false alarm. 

One motorist described how he was refused entry to the BP garage next to the Wolvercote roundabout on Tuesday afternoon and told it was unsafe to be there.

Police, who were contacted on Tuesday, confirmed today that a suitcase was found at the garage, which has recently reopened on the Wolvercote roundabout after unassociated work, but would not elaborate further. 

Thames Valley Police spokesman James Williams said: "It was a false alarm regarding a suspect package which turned out to be an empty suitcase.

"It was cordoned off for about an hour."

On Tuesday at 4pm, one motorist explained: "I’ve just been refused entry to the A40 Woodstock Road Petrol station just off the roundabout due to a ‘suspicious package’ being found. 

"They told me I had to leave the premises as it would be safer me not being there.

thisisoxfordshire: Picture: Google MapsPicture: Google Maps

"They’ve coned off the whole forecourt and are refusing entry to new customers. As I left two marked police cars arrived with blue lights on. This was around 15 minutes ago."

A representative from the nearby BMW station said they had not been informed about the incident at around 4.30pm, adding that one police car was on the forecourt at that time.