A Maltese man was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of causing a bomb scare on train from Southampton to London Victoria.

British Transport Police told The Sunday Times the 25-year-old man was reported to police by his fellow passengers who overheard him talking about a bomb.

Armed officers from the Transport Police, assisted by Hampshire Constabulary officers, evacuated the train and station at Havant at around 5.30 p.m., but no device was found.

The hoax caused disruption to rush hour rail services, with two services cancelled and another severely delayed.

The Maltese man, who was in the third coach, was arrested on suspicion of communicating a bomb hoax and for public order offences.

He was granted police bail and is due to return to Southampton police station on March 24.

British Transport Police said they were unable to reveal the man’s identity or say whether he was a tourist or a resident in the UK at this stage.

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