Plastic bags taken from house as emergency crews descend

A massive emergency response swooped on St Andrews when the suspicious package was reported at around 1.30pm.

Emergency personnel dressed in suits with hoods pulled up came and went from a house at the centre of the drama.

A large area around the house in St Mary’s Street, near the junction with Woodburn Place, was sealed off.

Bystanders watched from the cordon as a man was apparently rescued from the property and taken into an ambulance.

Several plastic bags were also taken from the house shortly before the incident came to a close at around 5pm.

One eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said: “There was a parcel they were concerned about. Whether it was something or was perceived to be something, we don’t know.

“There was someone in the house. We could hear them shouting to him, saying ‘stay there, we will come and get you’. They were also talking about a parcel on the third stair on the left.

“They led him out at about 3.45pm and he didn’t look like he was injured.

“They said they were taking him to Ninewells but they didn’t seem to be in any rush about taking him.”

At least four ambulances, including a serious incident support unit, two fire engines and several police cars surrounded the building as the public was kept back.

A large stretch of St Mary’s Street, from South Street to Lamond Drive, was closed to traffic and pedestrians were prevented from entering the immediate area until emergency services ensured it was safe.

A spokesperson for St Andrews University confirmed the property concerned was not one occupied by either students or staff members.

We could hear them shouting to him, saying: ‘Stay there, we will come and getyou’