A MAN has been charged in connection with an investigation into a suspected bomb hoax in Grays earlier this week.

An alarm was raised on Monday (11 July) at around 3pm following reports of a suspicious package in Thurrock Council's Civic Offices. The building, and nearby South Essex College, was evacuated, and the nearby railway station disrupted.

Officers attended and it was established it was a suitcase with nothing suspicious or of concern inside.

Jason Fuller, 52 of Seabrooke Rise, Grays, was arrested in the aftermath of the incident and has been charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place and bomb hoax.

He has been remanded and will next appear at Basildon Crown Court on 11 August.