New Yorkers report more suspicious packages

Reports of suspicious packages have tripled from jittery New Yorkers since last week’s London bombings.

The New York Police Department has received such 303 calls in the past five days compared with 82 in the same period last year.

Police overtime has also cost an additional $1m (€826,300) since security measures on public transport were ramped up, according to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

City officials have told New Yorkers they can help prevent similar attacks by watching out for unattended bags and packages, or suspicious-looking devices that could be bombs.

“We want the public to be vigilant,” Mr Kelly said. “We want people to be alert, aware of their surroundings.”

“We always say look at things through the prism of 9/11 or recent events.”

Mr Kelly said the increased security would continue at least until the end of the week.

Asked about the likelihood of suicide bombers attacking New York, he said: “We have to think of that as a possibility.”

A pier near Wall Street was shut down and bomb squads called yesterday when commuters spotted an unattended briefcase on a water taxi, which it later emerged had been left behind accidentally.

A white substance found near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the city’s Mayors, was being tested but there was no indication it posed any threat, police said.