A SUSPICIOUS device discovered in a polling station in North Lanarkshire has been deemed non-viable.
Police confirmed that residents of Motherwell's Glen Tower flats will now be able to return to their homes after a controlled explosion was carried out on the device.
Officers were called to the flats on Range Road at around 1 am this morning after the suspicious package was discovered on the ground floor.
READ MORE: Voters head to the polls for third General Election in five years
While North Lanarkshire Council moved the polling station to nearby Knowetop Primary School in Knowetop Avenue.
Chief Inspector Mark Leonard said: “Officers responded to reports of a suspicious device on the ground floor of Glen Tower flats, Motherwell around 1 am on Thursday, December 12.
“A cordon was placed around the building and residents within the cordon were evacuated for safety reasons. Police liaised with Explosive Ordnance Device staff to examine the item and a controlled explosion was carried out as a precaution.
“It was found to be a non-viable device.
Looks out the window of the building where I live and there’s a “bomb disposal truck” Down below, and it’s also the polling station for the general election. Not sure if there’s a connection #generalerection #bombdisposal #glentower #Motherwell pic.twitter.com/6dzo0RvaiS
— Robert McCristall (@BertBaggio) December 12, 2019
“The evacuation of residents within the cordon has now ended and police are working with North Lanarkshire Council to return people to their homes.
“Enquiries are ongoing and we are keen to talk to anyone that may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around 12 and 1 am this morning.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 0127 of Thursday, 12 December, 2019."
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