Search for hoaxer under way after fake bomb sent to police

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topst ... 5434540.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A HOAX bomber who sparked a mass evacuation at the Capital's police headquarters after sending a mocked-up explosive device through the post is being hunted today.

The package was delivered to Fettes HQ yesterday morning by Royal Mail despite only being addressed to "The Police, Edinburgh".

After its arrival in the building's mail room, sources say suspicions were quickly raised and X-rays of the package showed it contained two metal cannisters connected by a coil.

The find prompted an immediate evacuation of the building at 8.50am, with 350 officers and support staff taking refuge at the new Broughton High School campus across the street.

An Army bomb disposal team arrived at Fettes to deal with the package in one of the building's car parks before the all-clear was given at around 11.15am.

Senior officers said the package did not contain any materials which could have caused an explosion, but said a full investigation had been mounted to catch the hoaxer and bring them to court.

Officers said they were following a "positive line of inquiry which it is hoped will lead to the individual responsible".

The package was not destroyed in a controlled explosion and officers are expected to examine it for potential evidence.

Security has recently been beefed up at the police HQ, with a camera at the reception desk taking photographs of any visitor entering the building to create personalised passes.

Sources say the X-ray of the package raised initial fears that it was a genuine explosive.

Chief Superintendent Charlie Common, head of specialist operations with the force, said: "I can confirm the suspect package is being treated as a hoax and a full inquiry will be carried out to find those responsible.

"The package was delivered in the mail to Lothian and Borders Police. It immediately raised our suspicions and, as a result, police headquarters was evacuated and the bomb disposal squad were called in. Our standards security procedures were implemented and the evacuation was calm and orderly.

"Clearly having 350 people evacuated from headquarters causes notable disruption, but we can confirm operational response continued unhindered."

Chief Supt Common said he had no information where the package might have been sent from, or whether any letter or message was included with it.

He added: "I would like to thank the bomb disposal squad for the way they dealt with this situation.

"The exercise now is to find the culprit and take them to court."

Contingency plans for such situations have seen officers and staff from Fettes sent to other police buildings in the force area to continue their duties if the evacuation had lasted longer.

The building's fire alarm continued to sound until the all-clear was given while officers guarded each entrance to Fettes.

Senior officers looked on while the army unit examined the package for more than two hours.

Most officers and staff gathered at the school across the street to keep out of the morning rain, while others took the opportunity to go for breakfast at nearby cafes and shops.

[Lounge Lizard]

... and where's the congratulations to Royal Mail for delivering the package before 8.50am ?

[Pat Ostman]

... and where's the congratulations to Royal Mail for delivering the package before 8.50am ?

[brothermagrew]

And will the unfortunate postie who delivered the package have to have his or her fingerprints taken to eliminate them from the police inquiry.

[stokes11eg]

Will the guily Postie please stand up!Seriously, it could have been for real, and why wasn't it picked up on before it got to the delivery stage? so much for security.

[DGP1]

And will the unfortunate postie who delivered the package have to have his or her fingerprints taken to eliminate them from the police inquiry.

Unless I'm being charged with a crime I'm not giving my fingerprints to the police, I don't trust them to destroy them after they've been used to eliminate me from enquiries (just like DNA samples).

[stokes11eg]

Actually-it's quite scary to think we are delivering our fingerprints to hundreds of houses every day!

[Lounge Lizard]

Actually-it's quite scary to think we are delivering our fingerprints to hundreds of houses every day!

Yes, the letters we deliver can be accessories to a crime and the rozzers, ever eager to get a conviction, will have us in jail before you can get a strike ballot. Scary indeed.