Isaac Ashe

BBC News, East Midlands

The bomb squad was called in after police found a "suspicious" item following a crash.

A car had left the road and ended up in a hedge in Ashby Road, Barwell, at about 18:25 BST on Tuesday, with two occupants fleeing the scene.

Leicestershire Police attended and while the crashed vehicle was being recovered, what the force described as "a suspicious item" was found in the rear of the car.

A cordon was put in place while the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attended to confirm the item was "not of concern".

The force would not confirm what the item was later identified as.

A spokesperson said: "While the vehicle was being recovered, a suspicious item was found in the rear of the car.

"In the interest of public and police safety, a cordon was put in place and contact was made with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, who attended.

"The item was examined and confirmed not to be suspicious and not of concern and the road was reopened shortly after."

A search for the two people who left the area was carried out with assistance from the National Police Air Service but they were not found, and investigations were ongoing, police said.