Suspicious package sparks bomb alert

Newburgh: Parcel turned out to be online shopping to be returned

A suspect package sparked a major bomb alert in a Fife town.

Emergency services were scrambled to Newburgh after a “suspicious” brown parcel was left outside the town’s Post Office.

Police threw a cordon around the High Street and evacuated homes and businesses, while sniffer dogs were brought in to check for explosives under parked vehicles and inside wheelie bins.

The lockdown was lifted after two hours when specialist officers collected the parcel and took it away for analysis.

It is understood the parcel contained online shopping and was addressed to Primark in Belfast.

Police Scotland later issued an appeal for people to be “sensible and vigilant” amid heightened security following the Manchester Arena attack.

A spokesman said the package was “online shopping to be returned to the sender, which was left on the pavement instead of handed to a member of staff.”

It was found at the doorstep of the High Street post office just before 8am and worried staff raised the alarm about an hour later.

The parcel, described as heavy, was later placed on top of a post box outside the shop while officers weighed up their options.

No one at the Post Office was willing to speak about the incident.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police in Fife were called to Newburgh High Street following a report of a suspicious package.

“The incident was reported around 9am. Officers attended and the package was deemed to contain a non-suspicious item.”

She said: “Cordons have been lifted and Newburgh High Street is now reopened.

“The public is thanked for their patience as officers dealt with this incident.”

The army’s bomb disposal team was not called out to the incident.

Shopper Christine Ritchie, 44, said: “There was police tape all across the street from the Last Orders shop, all the way down to the Ship Inn.

“Everyone was standing at the cordon, wondering what was going on.

“We’d heard it was a brown parcel, like a stuffed envelope, but I think the police knew fairly quickly that it was nothing to worry about.

“I think someone had just dropped a package off first thing in the morning to be posted.

“Obviously, everyone is a bit jumpy after what happened in Manchester, so I can understand why they called the police.”

Local councillor David McDiarmid said: “The staff at the post office did the right thing. They should be commended for their actions.

“Obviously, every one is on high alert after what happened in Manchester and if they’re not, then they should be.”

A fire service spokeswoman confirmed a local crew attended, but were not required.

Obviously, everyone is a bit jumpy after what happened in Manchester, so I can understand why they called the police. CHRISTINE RITCHIE

Police at the scene of the incident in Newburgh yesterday.