Lockdown at bridge after weapon found on river bed

Member of public raises alarm after spotting suspicious object

A Perth bridge was locked down by police after a weapon was discovered on the river bed below.

A member of the public raised the alarm after spotting the suspicious object underneath Smeaton’s Bridge.

The age-old crossing, which links Bridgend with the city centre, was sealed off while police teams recovered the weapon.

Police declined to say what type of weapon was found and refused to comment on speculation it was some kind of firearm.

A force spokesman said inquiries were under way.

Emergency services were called to the bridge at around noon yesterday.

It is understood the weapon was spotted on the river bed on the Perth side, which has dried up in the hot weather.

The recent heatwave has exposed rocks, debris and alcoves that are usually hidden underwater.

Passers-by said armed police were standing guard on the bridge while officers in diving gear searched the area below but it is understood they did not need to go into the water to reach the weapon.

A force spokesman said: “Officers attended a Perth bridge this afternoon following a report from a member of the public this morning that a weapon had been found.

“The item has been recovered and inquiries are ongoing.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was also called to the area but was stood down once the object had been collected.

One resident who saw the commotion said: “There was a lot of flashing blue lights and sirens. It looked very dramatic.

“They were searching below the bridge, on the river bed.”

The crossing was reopened by 1pm. Around the same time, the Tay Road Bridge in Dundee was closed due to concerns for a woman.

Police, ambulance crews and RNLI teams were alerted to the incident, which closed the crossing in both directions.

It was open again about an hour later.