Train passenger reports suspicious packages that turn out to be machines used to report suspicious packages

MTA canine unit and county bomb squad called in to check dubious boxes

The bollard-like machines are a relatively new addition to the city’s subway system (Getty Images)

When they were dispatched to examine a suspicious package, it is unlikely that New York Police officers were expecting to find a machine used for reporting suspicious packages.

But that is exactly what they discovered when they were called out to the New Rochelle Station by a cautious commuter.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's canine unit and the Westchester County bomb squad were scrambled to the scene.

Officers quickly discovered there was no cause for alarm – lifting the cardboard to uncover ‘help point’ machines destined to be deployed elsewhere.

The bollard-like machines are a relatively new addition to the city’s subway system – offering a direct line to transport personnel for a variety of reasons, including the reporting of suspicious packages.

Images from the scene show officers laughing after uncovering the help points.

The equipment was left at on the New Rochelle platform were in the wrong location, and were not clearly labelled.

There is not believed to have been any disruption caused to the train line by the investigation