A CHEMICAL attack alert sparked by a hoax package sent to a York bank cost emergency services more than £11,000, and thousands more in lost earnings for traders, the Evening Press can reveal today.

Police are currently investigating why a package containing a suspicious white powder arrived at NatWest Bank, in Market Street, during the Bank Holiday weekend.

The parcel triggered a massive emergency operation when staff discovered it on Tuesday morning.

Shops were closed for almost six hours and part of the city centre sealed off as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear advisers from the fire, ambulance and police services worked to determine what the substance was.

Two staff who had handled the envelope had to be put through a decontamination procedure as a precaution. The package was later found to contain harmless sucrose powder.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Graham Buckle said the incident cost them about £6,000, with four appliances deployed for almost six hours.

"From our perspective, it tied up a lot of our resources until we were able to ascertain what kind of substance it was," he said.

"If that was a proper call then that is what we are there for. But because it was a hoax, we could have spent that time doing community safety work."

Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service said the cost of replacing suits and equipment used in the operation would run to about £5,000.

Inspector Alex Brandon, of York Police, said he was unable to estimate the cost to them, but the force played a relatively small role in the security operation, sending out just five staff, despite having overall command.

"We didn't have to deploy many resources because of the assistance provided by the local authority in relation to cordoning," he said. "All those officers involved in the incident were already on duty."

Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, condemned the hoax scare and its impact on traders. "I am concerned on two levels," he said. "Firstly because it is a stupid thing to do and the effect it has on staff. On the other level, it has an effect on business. People have had to lose the best part of a day's takings."

Chris Farthing, manager of Millet's in Market Street, said the shop was only able to open for two-and-a-half hours on Tuesday.

"I couldn't think of a figure, but certainly it did affect the takings and obviously we still have to pay staff, rates and electricity," he said.

"It was also annoying because this was the last week of our bonus system and the losses could make a difference to my wage. The person responsible wants a good kick up the bum."

Claire Martindale, manageress of The Bookcafe, also in Market Street, said her shop had lost about £500 in takings because of the incident.

The nearby Scarborough Building Society closed for the entire day because of the scare.

Tony Burdin, head of retail strategy, said: "It is disappointing to lose a good day's trading, but we had no hesitation because of the safety of our staff."

Both NatWest employees who handled the package returned to work when the branch reopened yesterday.

Updated: 09:55 Thursday, March 31, 2005