A BOMB squad were called to an army barracks in Edinburgh this morning after a suspicious package was found nearby.
The item was discovered outside the former main entrance to Redford Barracks, on Colinton Road, at around 10.40am.
This entrance is directly opposite the grounds of Merchiston Castle School, where around 500 pupils were in class.
After the discovery, the area was cordoned off, with Colinton Road closed between Redford Road and Patie’s Road.
It is thought that suspicion was raised after guards saw the package near a bus stop on the street.
Two hours later, at around 12.30pm, it was announced that the item had been deemed non-suspicious, after tests by an explosives team. It was then subject to a controlled explosion.
Police are still investigating the circumstances leading up to the placement of the item.
They have said that a tall, heavy built male, in his 50s was seen acting “suspiciously” on Colinton Road, just ten minutes before the package was spotted.
The man was described as looking dishevelled, and wearing light coloured clothing, possibly green or beige.
Inspector Graeme Dignan of Drylaw Police Station, said: “This item was not a threat and there was no danger to the public at any time.
“I would like to thank people in the area for their patience whilst this situation was brought to a safe conclusion.
“We are now investigating how the item came to be left outside the barracks, and want to speak to anyone who was in the Colinton/Craiglockhart/Colinton Mains areas this morning and may have seen the man described or has any other information that may assist.”
Several army bases in the UK were put on red alert earlier this summer, after the attempted abduction of a soldier who was running outside RAF Marham, in Norfolk on July 20.
This incident came just hours a police chopper and armed cops raced to Bulford Camp, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, following reports that men were seen carrying guns, near to the camp.
It was reported at the time that memos were sent to soldiers at several army bases, asking them to be vigilant when travelling to and from work.
