A CONTROLLED explosion was carried after a student block was evacuated in Portsmouth.

Emergency services were called to Stanhope Road after a "suspicious object" was found.

An Explosive Ordnance Team was called and the object was blown up in Victoria Park.

A 20-year-old man has been arrested and is in police custody.

The cordon has been lifted around the building after the incident, which happened at about 4.18pm on Thursday.

A Hampshire Police statement says: "All students are safe.

"The incident was co-ordinated with support from Hampshire Police, South Central Ambulance Service, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Portsmouth City Council, the University of Portsmouth and The Student Housing Company.

"No-one has been injured in this incident and there is not believed to be any wider or ongoing threat to the public."