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Suspicious package causes security alert at Hampshire naval base Security alert at Hampshire naval base was false alarm
(35 minutes later)
A security incident is ongoing at the Royal Navy's warfare school in Fareham, Hampshire, the Ministry of Defence said. A security incident at the Royal Navy's warfare school was a false alarm after a package delivered to the base was found not to be suspicious.
Hampshire police confirmed its officers were at HMS Collingwood following a report of a package being discovered, and a cordon had been set up. Police attended HMS Collingwood in Fareham, Hampshire - the Royal Navy's largest training establishment - on Monday morning after a report of a suspicious package being delivered, sparking a security incident.
Hampshire police said: "Officers from Hampshire constabulary attended HMS Collingwood in Fareham, this morning. This was following a report of a suspicious package being delivered. The package has now been examined and it is not deemed suspicious."
Four suspicious packages were discovered at army careers offices in Oxford, Brighton, Canterbury and Slough last Thursday.Four suspicious packages were discovered at army careers offices in Oxford, Brighton, Canterbury and Slough last Thursday.
Counter-terrorism police and military bomb disposal experts launched an investigation as the devices that bore "all the hallmarks of Northern Ireland-related terrorism".Counter-terrorism police and military bomb disposal experts launched an investigation as the devices that bore "all the hallmarks of Northern Ireland-related terrorism".
An MoD spokeswoman said: "We can confirm there is an ongoing incident at HMS Collingwood, the Royal Navy warfare school in Fareham, Hampshire", but that it would be inappropriate to make further comment.An MoD spokeswoman said: "We can confirm there is an ongoing incident at HMS Collingwood, the Royal Navy warfare school in Fareham, Hampshire", but that it would be inappropriate to make further comment.
HMS Collingwood is the headquarters of the navy's maritime warfare school, where training includes weapon engineering, diving, physical training, chemical biological radiation nuclear and damage control, sea survival, seamanship and military skills.HMS Collingwood is the headquarters of the navy's maritime warfare school, where training includes weapon engineering, diving, physical training, chemical biological radiation nuclear and damage control, sea survival, seamanship and military skills.
A package was found in Aldershot, Hampshire, on Wednesday, while two packets were found on Tuesday at the armed forces careers office in Reading, Berkshire, and the army and RAF careers office in Chatham, Kent.A package was found in Aldershot, Hampshire, on Wednesday, while two packets were found on Tuesday at the armed forces careers office in Reading, Berkshire, and the army and RAF careers office in Chatham, Kent.
Although the devices were viable, they were crude and basic, making them unlikely to cause serious injury.Although the devices were viable, they were crude and basic, making them unlikely to cause serious injury.
While the motive behind the campaign remains unknown – and no one has yet claimed responsibility – letter bombs have been used by dissident Irish republicans in the past. The postmark on one of the packages was from the Republic of Ireland and there were a couple of similar incidents late last year. A Metropolitan police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the claim of responsibility for the devices that were sent to army recruitment centres in England last week. The claim was received on Saturday 15 February by a Northern Irish media outlet using a recognised codeword. The claim was allegedly made on behalf of the 'IRA'.
"The public is urged to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321."