The bomb scare in Watford is not believed to be a hate crime, the Watford Observer can reveal.

Emergency services were called after a suspicious package was found in the road outside Travelodge, in Market Street, shortly after 11.30am yesterday - bringing Watford town centre to a standstill.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has confirmed the man arrested wearing a burka yesterday will have no further action taken against him.

Officers told the Watford Observer he has been questioned on behalf of West Yorkshire Police, in connection with a hate crime offence relating to alleged inappropriate comments on social media.

Detectives spoke to the Muslim community following concerns the bomb scare may be "hate-crime related" after someone was arrested wearing a burka.

Watford Chief Inspector Dave Wheatley said the police had held meetings with senior members at Watford Mosque, including trustee Rashid Choudhry, to keep them informed about the investigation and to offer reassurance.

He added: "At this stage we are satisfied that this incident was not hate crime-related".

The bomb squad arrived on the scene within minutes and deployed a remote controlled robot to retrieve the package.

But police later confirmed the device was "not viable" - which means it could not have caused an explosion.

A team from the Royal Logistics Corps then carried out a controlled explosion in the ring road at the entrance to Church Street car park at around 1.30pm.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has now released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the bomb scare.

He was last seen leaving Coral bookmakers in Market Street at around 10am yesterday.

Chief Inspector Wheatley said: "We are urgently seeking this man as he may have seen something or have information that is relevant to our inquiries. If this was you, or you know who he is, please get in touch with police as soon as possible.”

He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Watford residents for their continued support throughout this investigation, particularly yesterday while many roads in the town centre were closed as the suspected device was dealt with and precautionary searches were conducted.

"Police only take this kind of action when it is absolutely necessary and where there is a potential risk to people’s safety.

Bystanders said they saw a number of police officers arrest a man dressed in a burka.

Police confirmed the man was arrested in Clarendon Road and he was taken into police custody. No other details are known about the man who was detained.

The arrested man was also seen with two backpacks, but police confirmed both of these had children's books in them.

Dozens of officers had already descended on the town centre and rushed to evacuate the area.

Traffic was diverted out of the town with road blocks and cordons cutting off access to High Street, Market Street and the ring road near Church Street Car Park.

Buses and cars were left abandoned as confused shoppers were pulled from the vehicles and guided to safety.

Paramedics were also on standby throughout the operation, with the East of England Ambulance Service sending an ambulance officer and three Hazardous Area Response Teams to provide medical assistance as a precaution.

Drivers with cars parked in intu car parks and Church Street Car Park were unable to return to their vehicles for hours.

St Mary’s Church in High Street was set up as a make-shift refuge offering free bottles of water, squash, tea and biscuits for people to escape the sun.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.