Suspicious device found near Motherwell polling station

Police have carried out a controlled explosion after a suspicious device was found near a polling station in North Lanarkshire.

It was discovered on the ground floor of Glen Tower flats in Motherwell at around 1am on Thursday morning.

A community room in the building was due to be used as a polling station for voters in the area.

Residents in the building had been evacuated by police.

The council said all those registered to vote in the tower had been asked to go to Knowetop Primary School instead.

Chief Inspector Mark Leonard said: “Officers responded to reports of a suspicious device on the ground floor of Glen Tower flats, Motherwell around 1am 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 to found to be a non-viable device.

“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 1am this morning.”