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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Ketsuda Phoutinane & Sophie Buchan

Bomb Threat Glasgow: What happened in east end's Alexandra Parade?

Yesterday afternoon (Thursday) Police Scotland responded to a bomb threat on Alexandra Parade while they were later called to a second incident at the nearby Forge Retail Park.

Officers and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) swarmed a business premises in Dennistoun and soon evacuated local residents and businesses to a nearby school for their safety.

A suspicious item was found inside a premises on Milnbank Street and police were alerted at around 3.30pm.

A cordon was put in place and part of the M8 and local roads were shut as a result, with bus routes having to be diverted.

Later in the evening police were involved in a car chase which led them to Tesco Extra in Parkhead and officers say the driver and passenger have still be located.

So what happened in Glasgow amid the bomb threat?

Police rush to scene of bomb threat in Alexandra Parade

A report of a suspicious package in a building was made to Police Scotland. Officers rushed to the scene on Milnbank Street in Alexandra Parade at around 3:30pm where the EOD and fire services quickly joined.

Police Scotland's Chief Inspector Scott Simpson said: "We were called around 3.30pm on Thursday, 27 January, 2022, to a report of a suspicious package found within a premises on Milnbank Street in Glasgow.

"Officers are in attendance and EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) have been contacted. The premises has been evacuated, a cordon has been put in place and the M8 has been closed between junction 14 and junction 15.

"The motorway is likely to be closed for a period of time so road users are advised to use alternative routes where possible."

As a result of road closures, traffic, including bus services, had to be diverted.

Residents and businesses evacuated

Taking to Twitter, an individual commented: "What’s happening on Alexandra parade? My son and daughter In law have been evacuated from their house?"

Shorty after, similar reports began to surface and locals were given police escorts to a nearby school.

It's understood around 30 residents were being looked after at Whitehill Secondary.

Photo shows Alexandra Parade blocked off to traffic by police (Reach PLC>)


Traffic Scotland and Police Scotland issue M8 closure update

From around 5pm until at least 6:15pm, Junction 12 and Junction 15 of the M8 were closed in both directions.

Traffic Scotland asked people to be "patient and expect delays".

Police Scotland then issued an update which advised: "Following our previous post, we can confirm the M8 motorway has now reopened.

"Officers are in attendance alongside EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) following the report of a suspicious package being found within a premises on Milnbank Street, Glasgow. A cordon will remain in place.

"We would like to thank members of the public for their patience."

Part of the M8 was forced to shut. (Traffic Scotland.)

Officers rush to Tesco Parkhead after car chase

Later in the evening, a video emerged of police officers swarming Tesco at the Forge Retail Park while a helicopter circled above.

The video showed police running into the supermarket amid shouts of 'move'.

Police sources said the incident at the retail park was separate and not linked to the nearby Dennistoun bomb scare.

An eyewitness said that around six police cars turned up with some officers running on foot from Millerston Street to Tesco.

"Most officers ran inside towards the back right of the store. With others running up the side of the building between Tesco and B&Q."

Alexandra Parade re-opens

Having been closed for some time, Police Scotland confirmed the cordon on Alexandra Parade had been removed at around 10pm with some locals then told they were allowed to re-enter their homes.

Suspicious package found not a 'viable device'

The suspicious package discovered inside the business premises on Milnbank Street was found not to be a 'viable device', Police Scotland confirmed on Friday morning.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Around 3.30pm on Thursday, 27 January, officers were called to a report of a suspicious package found within business premises on Milnbank Street, Glasgow.

"Officers attended and a cordon was put in place and a number of local residents were evacuated as a precaution. The M8 was closed eastbound between junction 14 and 15 and westbound from junction 12. The motorway was reopened around 6.30pm.

"Officers from EOD attended and examined the item who confirmed it was not a viable device. Police enquiries continue.

"The cordon was later removed and residents returned to their homes. We thank the public for their co-operation and patience during this incident."

Police launch manhunt for driver and passenger after car chase to Tesco

Furthermore, police have launched a manhunt for two people who fled from a car that was being chased by police.

The car was travelling on the M74 between junctions 8 and 10 near Lesmahagow around 6:30pm where it was later abandoned.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 6.30pm on Thursday, 28 January, a vehicle failed to stop when signalled by officers on the M74 between junctions eight and 10 near Lesmahagow.

"The vehicle travelled towards Glasgow, continuing to fail to stop, and was subsequently abandoned on Millerston Road.

"The driver left the vehicle and made off in the direction of The Forge shopping centre. He has yet to be traced.

"Enquiries are ongoing to trace the two occupants of the vehicle."

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