Scottish Region Counter Terrorism Protective Security Update 7th March

7th March 2019

The following has been issued nationwide today 7th March 2019.

Improvised Explosive Device Sent via Mail - 6th March 2019.

Police are currently investigating an improvised explosive device which has been sent through the mail addressed to the University of Glasgow. The package is described as having a white outer plastic postal bag with a handwritten address and has two postal stamps with red heart motifs in the top right corner.

There are similarities in the package, markings and type of device to those discovered in London yesterday. Please refer to the UK Protect bulletin circulated yesterday for images.

The Policing response to the incident is still ongoing and a further update will be provided, as appropriate, as more information becomes available. Police Scotland are working closely with partners in response to the incident.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, of Police Scotland, said: "The package sent to the university was not opened and no one was injured. A controlled explosion of the device was carried out this afternoon by EOD.

"There are similarities in the package, its markings and the type of device that was recovered in Glasgow to those in London. Therefore, we are now treating it as being linked to the three packages being investigated by the Met in London and both investigations are being run in tandem.

"Our enquiries into the Glasgow package are at an early stage but there is no ongoing risk to the public.

"The package in Glasgow was identified by alert staff at the university mailroom who had received protective security information advising them to be vigilant and to report suspicious packages.

"The same advice has already been sent to a range of businesses, including transport hubs and mail sorting companies, and will now also be sent to those in the education sector.

"Anyone who sees something suspicious should report it to the police immediately."

Members of the public should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to the Police on 999 or via the confidential hotline: 0800 789 321.

Please monitor the Police Scotland Twitter feed @policescotland and news channels for more information.