A SHOPPING centre has been evacuated this afternoon (Friday) after reports of smoke.

Fire crews and police were alerted just after 2.05pm after a burning smell was reported at the Baggage Factory in Stevenage town centre’s Westgate Shopping Centre.

Firefighters are using a thermal imaging camera to search for any evidence of a fire, while police have evacuated the shopping centre as a precaution.

The nearby car park has also been closed.