Glasgow University suspicious package linked to London mail bombs, say police

A suspicious package sent to a Scottish university is believed to be linked to the three explosive devices sent to transport hubs in London on Tuesday, Police Scotland has said.

A number of buildings at the University of Glasgow were evacuated after a suspect package was found in the mailroom. Picture: John Devlin

Several buildings at the University of Glasgow were evacuated and nearby roads closed after the discovery on Wednesday morning.

A controlled explosion was carried out on the device which is being investigated by Police Scotland counter-terrorism officers.

Later on Wednesday evening, the force confirmed teams from Scotland and the Metropolitan Police were working closely together to share any information or intelligence.

It comes after packages arrived at London’s Waterloo railway station and offices at Heathrow and London City airports on Tuesday.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, of Police Scotland, said: “The package sent to the university was not opened and no-one was injured. A controlled explosion of the device was carried out this afternoon by EOD.

“There are similarities in the package, its markings and the type of device that was recovered in Glasgow to those in London. Therefore, we are now treating it as being linked to the three packages being investigated by the Met in London and both investigations are being run in tandem.

“Our enquiries into the Glasgow package are at an early stage but there is no ongoing risk to the public.

“The package in Glasgow was identified by alert staff at the university mailroom who had received protective security information advising them to be vigilant and to report suspicious packages.

“The same advice has already been sent to a range of businesses, including transport hubs and mail sorting companies, and will now also be sent to those in the education sector.

“Anyone who sees something suspicious should report it to the police immediately.”

The packages reported in London on Tuesday were posted with Irish stamps and had Dublin as the return address, prompting Irish police to join the investigation.