CRUSHED biscuits caused police to cordon off part of a town centre over lunchtime today.

Worried shoppers alerted officers after spotting a man walk calmly through Market Place in Abingdon shortly before midday, and place three bags on the ground.

Witnesses described the bags to police as clear sandwich bags containing some kind of substance.

The three bags were dotted around the square.

Officers arrived and sealed off the square with a police cordon at about 12.20pm.

The cordon prevented shoppers and passers-by from getting near the mystery packages.

Police spokesman Chris Kearney said officers at the scene carried out a closer inspection of the bags which revealed they were not a threat to the public, but in fact contained harmless crushed digestive biscuits. The cordon was lifted at 12.39pm and the bags of biscuits were removed.

Although specialist bomb experts were consulted by police during the operation, it was dealt with by seven neighbourhood officers and a Special Constable.

Passer-by Pat Greenaway, of Loddon Close, Abingdon, said: “It seems over the top to me, although I do understand the need to be careful.”

Katie Webb, 18, from Abingdon, said: “I think it’s pathetic. There are crimes going on with all sorts of trouble in the street.

“For them to be getting their knickers in a twist is stupid.”

Shopper Laura Bailey, of Cotman Close, Abingdon, said: “I think it’s a bit over the top.

“The police must have better things to worry about than digestive biscuits. We pay our taxes and it seems like a waste of money."”

However, Julie Sutherland, who works at Robert Gatward jewellers, said: “I can’t blame them for being cautious in this day and age.

“You can’t be too careful. I would rather know I was safe than have something happen.”

Last night police were trying to trace the man who left the three bags of broken biscuits and crumbs in the square.

He was described as a middle-aged white man wearing a brown or cream jacket and a baseball cap.

Chief Supt Brendan O’Dowda, Oxfordshire Commander, said: “Whenever we have reports of unattended suspicious packages we have to put public safety at the forefront of everything we do.”

No roads were closed and no buildings were evacuated.

Anyone who can help the police should call officers on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk