Bomb squad and police in twin raids
POLICE and bomb disposal teams were scrambled to two major incidents in separate Scottish towns last night.
Dozens of officers, ambulance personnel and a police helicopter were deployed in East Kilbride, while a Royal Navy bomb disposal unit sealed off a street in nearby Blantyre, Lanarkshire.
Residents described seeing a number of police cars racing through the streets, officers running down alleyways and a helicopter hovering above an area near the John Wright Sports Centre in Calderwood, East Kilbride.
Meanwhile, Kirkton Avenue in Blantyre was sealed off by police officers while a bomb disposal unit from the Royal Navy’s Northern Diving Group arrived at an address in the street.
A robot, used by the military to neutralise bomb threats, was deployed. Military personnel were seen rolling the machine out into the street, while others clad in forensic suits were seen entering a property. The robot, known as a Cutlass Explosive Ordnance Disposal vehicle, is the military’s leading-edge device for dealing with bomb threats.
The six-wheeled machine allows operators to remain at a safe distance while investigating suspect devices.
Built by American company Northrop Grumman, it carries multiple payloads, sensors and tools, enabling an operator to counter a variety of threats.
It moves at slow speeds for sensitive missions.
The robot can disable devices using water jets and small ‘controlled explosions’ which preserve forensic evidence.
Police arrived at Kirkton Avenue around 9pm last night, along with the bomb disposal team.
Residents were told by officers that they were not in immediate danger. At around the same time, police swarmed around the area surrounding the John Wright Sports Centre.
Staff last night confirmed that nobody at the sports centre had been harmed, though they admitted that there had been ‘a lot of police sirens and a helicopter’ heard from inside.
The police operation in East Kilbride centred upon Ness Drive, a residential street around five minutes walk away from the John Wright Sports Centre.
Residents reported seeing nine police cars at the scene, while a helicopter was seen circling the area. Officers were also spotted running through the streets on foot.
Police Scotland confirmed they were dealing with the ‘ongoing incidents’ but confirmed that there was no terror threat and no danger to the public.
It is understood the incidents are not connected.