Unattended item shuts down Sydney street

Reports of an unattended item at a cinema has shut down part of an inner Sydney street and forced evacuations, but nothing was found.

Police blocked off Norton Street in Leichhardt about 7pm when they were called to investigate the item at the Palace cinema, which was evacuated.

Nothing of interest was found and the operation has ended, police told AAP.

Movie-goers were rushed out of the film after a man allegedly dropped a suspicious package at the door with an ominous message.

According to patrons a man left the package at the door before telling a female witness that she would find out about package later.

"We were in a movie when they came in and told us to leave," a witness told AAP.