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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Mark Pirie

Bomb squad rush to Motherwell Glen Tower polling station after 'suspicious device' found

A 'suspicious device' has been found at a Motherwell polling station leading to a late-night evacuation and a controlled explosion.

Police were called to the ground floor of Glen Tower flats in the Lanarkshire town at around 1am after reports.

Residents were forced to evacuate while a controlled explosion was carried out by Explosive Ordnance Device staff as a precaution.

Police state inquiries are ongoing regarding the incident.

Chief Inspector Mark Leonard said: “Officers responded to reports of a suspicious device on the ground floor of Glen Tower flats, Motherwell around 1am on Thursday, 12 December, 2019.

“A cordon was placed around the building and residents within the cordon were evacuated for safety reasons.

Police liaised with Explosive Ordnance Device staff to examine the item and a controlled explosion was carried out as a precaution.

“It was to found to be a non-viable device.

“The evacuation of residents within the cordon has now ended and police are working with North Lanarkshire Council to return people to their homes.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we are keen to talk to anyone that may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around 12 and 1am this morning.

“Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 0127 of Thursday, 12 December, 2019."

A North Lanarkshire Council spokesperson also confirmed that voters registered would have a new polling station.

The statement read: "Due to a police incident, voters registered to vote at Glen Tower, Motherwell please now attend a polling station at Knowetop Primary School, Knowetop Avenue, Motherwell from 7am.

"All residents are safe and police are carrying out enquiries."

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