SUSPICIOUS powder has been found at an Ipswich office today.

STAFF at the DVLA office in Ipswich have now been allowed back in the building after a suspicious powder sparked a security alert.

The suspect powder, which has now been confirmed as non-hazardous, was discovered around 7.40am today and while the immediate area was evacuated, staff in other departments were allowed to stay in the building.

Police were called and a cordon was put in place. Fire and ambulance services were on standby following the alert and tests were being carried out to determine what the powder was.

A spokesperson from the DVLA said: “I am able to confirm that there was suspicious package addressed to the Inland Revenue this morning.

“As DVLA shares the building with the Inland Revenue the Local Office was closed between 9 and 10:15 this morning.”