Glasgow University package linked to London explosives - police

A suspicious package found at the University of Glasgow is believed to be linked to explosive devices sent to three London transport hubs on Tuesday, police have said.

A controlled explosion was carried out on the suspicious package, which was found at the university's mail room on Wednesday morning.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, of Police Scotland, said the package had not been opened and there were no injuries to university staff or students.

However, several buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

He said: "There are similarities in the package, its markings and the type of device that was recovered in Glasgow to those in London.

"Therefore, we are now treating it as being linked to the three packages being investigated by the Met in London and both investigations are being run in tandem.

"Our inquiries into the Glasgow package are at an early stage but there is no ongoing risk to the public."

On Tuesday, explosive devices were discovered at Waterloo Station and buildings near Heathrow and London City airports.

The devices were small and, while one package was opened, there were no injuries.

At least two of the packages appeared to have Irish stamps on them and Irish police are assisting the Met Police with that investigation.

Dean Haydon, Britain's senior national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said a sender had not yet been identified.

He added: "We are talking to our Irish counterparts but at the moment there's nothing to indicate motivation of the sender or ideology, so I cannot confirm at the moment if it's connected to any Ireland-related terrorist groups."

Also on Wednesday, buildings at the University of Essex in Colchester were evacuated after a suspicious package was found.

At 4.30pm, Essex Police said: "Following an investigation we have established that the package posed no risk to the public.

"We thank you for your support and patience as we managed this incident."

A package was also found at Parliament and investigated but it was later deemed to be non-suspicious.

Police were also called over a package found at a Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Edinburgh but it contained only "promotional goods", officers said.