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| Suspect package 'disruption aim' | Suspect package 'disruption aim' |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| A suspicious package which caused major travel disruption in Aberdeen has been declared safe after being examined by army explosives experts. | A suspicious package which caused major travel disruption in Aberdeen has been declared safe after being examined by army explosives experts. |
| The area around the city's rail station was evacuated after a discovery by a member of the public at Guild Street. | The area around the city's rail station was evacuated after a discovery by a member of the public at Guild Street. |
| Trains to Aberdeen had to terminate at Dyce and Stonehaven. | Trains to Aberdeen had to terminate at Dyce and Stonehaven. |
| Ch Insp George MacDonald, of Grampian Police, said the package appeared to have been placed deliberately to cause maximum disruption. | Ch Insp George MacDonald, of Grampian Police, said the package appeared to have been placed deliberately to cause maximum disruption. |
| The discovery had been made at about 0600 GMT, and the resulting road closures led to major traffic delays. | The discovery had been made at about 0600 GMT, and the resulting road closures led to major traffic delays. |
| A robot was used to help check the package. | A robot was used to help check the package. |
| Inquiry continues | Inquiry continues |
| Ch Insp MacDonald, who led the police operation, said: "The package has now been examined by army experts and there was no danger to the public. | Ch Insp MacDonald, who led the police operation, said: "The package has now been examined by army experts and there was no danger to the public. |
| "Our first duty is to protect the public and we took appropriate steps to ensure public safety. | "Our first duty is to protect the public and we took appropriate steps to ensure public safety. |
| "We are continuing our investigations into how this package was placed on the bridge. The public should be reassured that we will carry out a thorough inquiry to trace those responsible." | "We are continuing our investigations into how this package was placed on the bridge. The public should be reassured that we will carry out a thorough inquiry to trace those responsible." |
| He added: "We appreciate this incident has caused disruption to the public and we would like to thank them for their co-operation. | He added: "We appreciate this incident has caused disruption to the public and we would like to thank them for their co-operation. |
| "But we are sure that people understand that we took appropriate and proportionate action to ensure their safety. | "But we are sure that people understand that we took appropriate and proportionate action to ensure their safety. |
| A robot was used after roads were closed down | A robot was used after roads were closed down |
| "We are keen to talk to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Guild Street area during the early hours of Thursday morning or have any other information which could assist our inquiry." | "We are keen to talk to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Guild Street area during the early hours of Thursday morning or have any other information which could assist our inquiry." |
| Streets surrounding Guild Street re-opened, although Guild Street itself remained closed for several hours while officers concluded an examination of the area. | |
| The train station had re-opened at about 1100 GMT. | |
| A spokesman for Aberdeen's major new Union Square shopping centre said: "We were advised by Grampian Police that a suspicious package was found in the Guild Street area of the city. | A spokesman for Aberdeen's major new Union Square shopping centre said: "We were advised by Grampian Police that a suspicious package was found in the Guild Street area of the city. |
| "In accordance with safety procedures and under the guidance of the police, Union Square was evacuated. When the police advised it was safe to do so, the centre was re-opened. | "In accordance with safety procedures and under the guidance of the police, Union Square was evacuated. When the police advised it was safe to do so, the centre was re-opened. |
| "Union Square takes the safety of staff and customers very seriously and always works closely with the police on all security issues." | "Union Square takes the safety of staff and customers very seriously and always works closely with the police on all security issues." |
| Facing bridge | Facing bridge |
| During the disruption, Andrew McManus told the BBC Scotland news website: "The traffic around the area was extremely packed with cars, almost gridlocked at points." | During the disruption, Andrew McManus told the BBC Scotland news website: "The traffic around the area was extremely packed with cars, almost gridlocked at points." |
| Ronan Burke said, who works in a building next to the train station, said staff there had been instructed to stay away from windows facing onto the bridge. | Ronan Burke said, who works in a building next to the train station, said staff there had been instructed to stay away from windows facing onto the bridge. |
| Colin Esslemont added: "I was on one of the trains that came into Aberdeen this morning during the incident, the station was in a bit of chaos. They were advising everyone to leave the station." | Colin Esslemont added: "I was on one of the trains that came into Aberdeen this morning during the incident, the station was in a bit of chaos. They were advising everyone to leave the station." |
| Concerns had been raised about the travel problems possibly affecting students sitting exams. | Concerns had been raised about the travel problems possibly affecting students sitting exams. |
| However the University of Aberdeen said it was only aware of one student who had been affected. A spokeswoman urged any students with issues to contact staff. | However the University of Aberdeen said it was only aware of one student who had been affected. A spokeswoman urged any students with issues to contact staff. |