Streets in Banff closed off by police due to ‘bomb’ alert

A LARGE area at the heart of a former fishing town on the Moray Firth coast is at the centre of a “bomb” alert tonight.

A LARGE area at the heart of a former fishing town on the Moray Firth coast is at the centre of a “bomb” alert tonight.

Residents nearby were eveacuated and the surrounding areas were sealed off

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

• The Army’s explosive ordnance disposal team were called to the scene

• Suspicious materials reported at a house in the Low Shore area of Banff

Army explosives experts were called to deal with suspicious materials found at a house in the Low Shore area of Banff in Aberdeenshire.

Residents in nearby homes and businesses, including a major Tesco store, were evacuated and the area sealed off after the alert was sounded.

Grampian Police refused to comment on local claims that the emergency began after “chemicals capable of making a bomb” had been discovered in a house close to the town’s harbour area and the local police station.

A force spokesman said the incident began after officers had attended an address in the Low Shore area of Banff following concerns raised by a member of the public. He said that the bomb squad - the Army’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team - had been called to the scene.

He added: “Officers have been carrying out investigations at the scene and have called in the EOD as a precaution, following the discovery of materials. There have been no injuries as a result of this incident, however, Grampian Police is now carrying out a controlled evacuation of the surrounding area as a precautionary measure to ensure the continued safety of the wider public. Grampian Police has deployed additional officers to the area to assist with the evacuation of a small number of residents from their homes with some local businesses also being affected.

“As a result of the developing inquiries officers have identified materials within a property and are working their way out from the locus to a distance of 100 metres to evacuate surrounding streets.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Residents and businesses in seven streets - Carmelite Street, Reid Street, Bridge Street, Church Street, Water Lane, Crown Court and Old Market Place - were evacuated before the bomb disposal experts arrived. A temporary reception centre was set up for the families affected in Banff Academy.

Chief Inspector Derek Hiley of Grampian Police said: “We would like to reassure members of the Banff community that officers are taking these initial steps as a precaution whilst the EOD attend to assist with the management of materials found within a property.

“Arrangements have been made in conjunction with Aberdeenshire Council for a reception centre to be set up at the local school and all residents affected by the 100 metre cordon have been offered a place.”

He continued: “Obviously our initial concerns are around ensuring beyond all doubt that the community is completely safe. We would like to reassure members of the local community that our officers have experience of dealing with incidents such as these and have worked regularly with the EOD in the past.”

One local, who did not wish to be identified, told the Scotsman: “There are lots of police in the area. The bomb disposal people are here. The building at the centre of the alert is a house in the Water Lane area of the town.

“There have been claims that chemicals have been found in a house that would be capable of forming a bomb.”

A spokeswoman for Grampian Police declined to comment on the claims.

Related topics: