Seven suspect packages bearing “the hallmarks of Northern Ireland related terrorism” are sent to army recruitment offices across southern England.
Counter terrorism police are investigating suspect packages found at a number of army careers offices across south east England. The prime minister has chaired a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee to discuss the incidents.
Packages have been confirmed at Oxford, Slough, Canterbury and Brighton, while similar suspect packages were found earlier in the week in Aldershot, Reading and Chatham, south east counter terrorism unit has confirmed.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the the suspect packages “have been identified as containing crude but potentially viable devices bearing the hallmarks of Northern Ireland related terrorism.”
Police officers have said the situation is a “low-level” but “viable” threat, with Ministry of Defence bomb disposal units dispatched.
Detective Superintendent Stan Gilmour, of the south east counter terrorism unit, said:
“Because suspicious packages were found at various locations yesterday, notes were sent out to all the army careers offices, as well as the Post Office, asking staff to be extra vigilant and look out for any suspect packages.”
At Queensmere Shopping Centre, in Slough, members of the public were evacuated, and cordons were put in place around all the offices where packages have been discovered.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We can confirm that we are aware of security incidents ongoing in Oxford, Slough and Brighton involving armed forces careers offices.”
“The relevant police authorities are investigating with military EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) teams in support and any further inquiries should be directed to the police.