Statue of Liberty: Dozens of tourists evacuated after reports of suspicious package

Tourists were moved by ferry

Visitors were rushed by boat off Liberty Island and back to Battery Park (Getty Images)

Throngs of tourists were evacuated from the Statue of Liberty in New York on Friday after police were told about a suspicious package.

The visitors were rushed by boat off Liberty Island and back to Battery Park and and Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The evacuation began shortly after 12.30pm, it was reported.

CNN said reports of a mysterious package were first made to police at 11.30am. The channel said that a police bomb-sniffing dog had indicated that the package might not be innocent and that the bomb squad was called in.

Reports said dozens of people were at the location when the order to evacuate came through. An all clear was later given.