Bomb squad called to ‘suspicious package’ at Edinburgh Royal Mail depot

Bomb disposal teams have been called to a Scots Royal Mail depot after receiving reports of a suspicious package.

Police, fire crews, ambulance and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units rushed to the scene at the Western Delivery Office in Sighthill, Edinburgh at around 9.55am this morning.

Experts are currently assessing the item to determine whether or not it poses any risk.

One person told how employees were stuck in their vehicles while trying to leave the staff car park after a 999 response surrounded the premises.

He told Edinburgh Live: “The police have blocked the road off, so we’re all stuck here until they deal with it.

“None of us can get out of the car park, it’s a scary situation.”

The building has not been evacuated at this time.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “At 9.55 am on Friday, March 18, police received a report of a potentially suspicious package within the Royal Mail Sorting Office at Cultins Road, Edinburgh.

“Emergency services and EOD are in attendance whilst the package is assessed.

“The building has not been evacuated at this time.”

The Royal Mail have since said the package has been removed and the centre is back up and running.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Earlier today, our staff alerted the police to a suspect package found at our Mail Centre at 11 Cultins Road, Edinburgh. The police have since removed the package from the Centre, which is now fully operational again.

“We expect this incident to have minimal impact on services to customers.

“We always encourage our staff to inform managers of any item of mail that appears suspect, so that Royal Mail can immediately alert the relevant authorities, as happened on this occasion.”

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