Officers launched a large-scaled hunt tonight for a man allegedly seen acting suspiciously when leaving a building in Bury St Edmunds, police have said.

Up to eight police cars and several police sniffer dogs were reportedly seen in Northgate Street in the town centre at around 8pm.

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said the search was prompted after the force received reports that a man had been seen leaving a building in “suspicious circumstances”.

The force spokesman said officers tracked down the man but said no action was taken after he was found not to have committed any offences.

Police had left the area by 9.15pm.