A tower block was evacuated yesterday after the bomb squad were called to a ‘suspect item’.
Police officers searching a property as part of an ‘ongoing investigation’ in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, found the suspicious object on Monday afternoon.
It prompted a huge emergency service response, with the area around Overtoun Court in the town was sealed off as and people ordered out of their homes.
The operation comes amid already heightened police activity, with forensic officers regularly seen in the area following the unexplained death of a 58-year-old man on October 17.
But Police Scotland yesterday said there was ‘nothing to suggest the item found in the property is liked to the ongoing investigation into the death’.
A member of the bomb squad could be seen wearing protective clothing
The tower block in Clydebank has been evacuated after the bomb squad was called out
Last night streets around the tower block were cordoned off as emergency services urged the public to avoid the area.
A Royal Navy bomb squad had been called to the property and a bomb disposal robot was reportedly seen entering the building.
As well as residents forced out of their homes, the incident also caused chaos on the railways. Both lines which pass through neighbouring Dalmuir station closed.
Network Rail said the incident was causing ‘major disruption’ as it was unable to ‘run any services to, from or through’ the area.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Officers searching a property in Overtoun Court in Clydebank, as part of an ongoing investigation, have discovered a suspect item.
Residents were evacuated while members of the bomb squad assessed the situation
The area was swarmed with emergency services during the drama
‘EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] have been informed and several surrounding properties are being evacuated as a precaution.
‘Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.’
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to the scene at 1.18pm.
He added: ‘Operations control mobilised four fire appliances and one high reach vehicle.
‘There are no reported casualties and crews are on standby to assist emergency service partners.’