A Leeds synagogue had to evacuate on Shabbat morning after a suspicious packet was found nearby.

Congregants at Etz Chaim Synagogue had to leave the service early after a large military munitions tin was discovered on Harrogate Road in the Moortown area of Leeds, at 9.25am.

CST alerted other synagogues, so that congregants would know to avoid the area, which was later cordoned off by the police.

The army arrived two hours later and were able to establish that the box wasn’t a threat. Roads in the vicinity were closed off until just before 2pm.

Congregants of Etz Chaim Synagogue in Leeds had to evacuate on Shabbat morning after a suspicious package was found nearby (Photo: Etz Chaim Synagogue)

A spokesperson for CST said: “[There were] Obvious concerns with the size and what's written on the box - it is a military munitions tin. It was brought to our attention via shul security … and we immediately called 999. We were able to keep people away until the police arrived and put up a cordon.

“Good work between police, CST and the community to get this resolved. It is not evident there was any direct threat to the community and police will investigate CCTV to see how it ended up there.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "An Army EOD team was called in to examine the package, comprised of a plastic bag and a military-style metal container, and subsequently confirmed it to be non-suspicious.

"Members of the public are thanked for their patience and understanding following an incident that has caused significant disruption."