Inquiries continue into suspect packages sent to high-profile individuals in the west of Scotland in recent weeks, and Strathclyde Police is re-appealing for information following the discovery of a fifth package in Northern Ireland.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the latest discovery was intercepted at the National Return Letter Centre in Belfast around two weeks ago. The package was addressed to Cairde Na H’Eireann premises in Glasgow, and is thought to have entered the postal system in Scotland. It is not known where it was sent from.
Following normal Royal Mail protocols, as the package was undelivered and had no return to sender address; it was automatically returned to the Letter Centre in Belfast. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland recovered the package and alerted Strathclyde Police. There is nothing to suggest any link to Belfast or indeed Northern Ireland say police.
Early investigation of the package indicates it is similar to the ones already being investigated, and has been designed to cause fear, alarm and furthermore real harm. Strathclyde Police would like to stress however that there is no danger to the general public, but would urge people to be vigilant.
Chief Superintendent Ruaraidh Nicolson said: “Naturally the public are going to be concerned about the latest discovery, however we would like to emphasise that this device is not a new one – it entered the postal system at the end of March, around the same time as two of the other packages. Like the others, it was addressed to individuals / organisations that have experienced high-profile media attention lately and it was certainly a viable device.
“We continue to have daily dialogue with Royal Mail, and their continued vigilance has been invaluable. The support and co-operation from the public has also been extremely positive, however I would like to stress that the answers lie out there and we need as much information from the wider public as possible. Someone out there knows who is behind this irresponsible and appalling crime, and we will continue to work round the clock until the individual or individuals are brought to justice.”
One focus for the inquiry team has been to trace a young couple who were seen in Kilwinning on Friday 15 April 2011. Both were last seen in Montgomerie Terrace around 1410 hours boarding a Stagecoach number 20 bus which travels to Ardrossan.
It has now been established that both then got off the bus at Kilwinning train station a short time later, and then subsequently got a train to Glasgow Central Station. CCTV in Glasgow shows them arriving, however it is not known where they journeyed after this. It is not known if they live in Kilwinning or were passing through.
* The man is described as white, early 20’s and has dark coloured hair. He was wearing a distinctive light blue and white top with horizontal stripes and jeans.
* The woman is described as white, also early 20’s and was wearing a dark coloured padded jacket.
Chief Superintendent Ruaraidh Nicolson added: “It is imperative that this couple come forward. I would like to stress that they are merely witnesses; however any information they have could be helpful to the investigation. They may think that they didn’t see anything of relevance, however I would say let us be the judge of that."
