Suspicious device found in northern NSW town

Parts of a northern NSW town have been shut down and people evacuated after a suspected bomb was found near the local Commonwealth Bank branch.

An emergency operation is underway in Mullumbimby after police were called to Station Street around 7.30am on Thursday after reports a suspicious item which looked like a metal pipe with a circuit board and a switch, had been found.

"On arrival police located what appeared to be an improvised explosive device, before establishing a 200m exclusion zone," a police spokesperson told AAP.

Additional resources, including a rescue and bomb disposal unit, have been sent to scene.

Fire and Rescue NSW's Rob Jansen told AAP the device had been found in a car park behind the bank, and police were flying a robot up from Sydney by helicopter to investigate the device- but it could take hours to diffuse.

Police are urging people to avoid Burringbar Street and Station Street.

The area remains taped off.

The Commonwealth Bank said staff and customers from the Mullumbimby branch had been evacuated.

"Our first priority is the safety of our people and customers," the bank said.

"Police are investigating the incident and we are cooperating with them fully. All other questions should be referred to the police."

Police said they have had no threats to specific buildings, organisations or people.