Three men arrested after bomb squad called to bus station in Glasgow
Three men arrested after bomb squad called to bus station in Glasgow
(34 minutes later)
Police Scotland said Buchanan bus station in city centre was closed after reports of a ‘potential suspicious item’
Bus station closed after report of ‘potential suspicious item’ but Police Scotland say ‘nothing suspicious found’ after controlled explosion
Three men have been arrested and a Glasgow bus station evacuated after the bomb squad was called out to reports of a “potential suspicious item”.
Three men have been arrested and a controlled explosion was carried out after a bus station was closed for several hours after reports of a “potential suspicious item” found in the area.
Police Scotland said Buchanan bus station in Glasgow city centre was closed at about 1.10pm on Wednesday “following a report of a potential suspicious item”, with the Royal Navy bomb squad alerted.
Police Scotland said at about 9.40pm on Wednesday that nothing suspicious was found, despite the controlled explosion at Buchanan bus station.
The force, which was still present at about 7.50pm on Wednesday evening, said: “Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident at Buchanan bus station in Glasgow, which was reported at about 1.10pm today.
The force first received reports of the item at about 1.10pm, and as a precaution the station and many of the surrounding buildings were evacuated and closed.
“EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) are at the scene and inquiries remain ongoing.”
Police said that three men had been arrested in connection with possession of offensive weapons and inquiries remain ongoing.
Large cordons have been put in place with streets around the bus station closed.
A spokesperson said: “Around 1.10pm this afternoon, police received a report of a potential suspicious item at the bus station.
“Officers contacted the EOD and a controlled explosion was carried out. Nothing suspicious was found.
“As a precaution the bus station and surrounding buildings were evacuated.”
“Three men were arrested in connection with possession of offensive weapons and inquiries are ongoing. Officers are working to return the area back to normal.”
Large cordons were put in place with streets around the bus station closed.
Police advised the public to avoid the area.
Police advised the public to avoid the area.
A number of transport services have experienced disruption as a result of the incident.
A number of transport services also experienced disruption as a result of the incident, including Stagecoach’s X77 service, as well as all of ScotRail’s Queen Street high street level services.
Bus operator Stagecoach’s Ayr-Glasgow X77 service, which terminates at Buchanan bus station, will now terminate in Hope Street in Glasgow.
The city’s subway service was also closed down, but later re-opened at around 9pm.
On X, a Stagecoach spokesperson said: “Due to the ongoing police incident in Glasgow City, our X77 service will be terminating at Hope Street and will be departing from Wellington Street until further notice.
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) also confirmed at about 8.30pm on Wednesday that the campus had been evacuated and closed as a precaution.
“Thank you for your patience.”
Railway operator ScotRail has experienced similar issues, having shut down Glasgow Queen Street’s high level station until it is deemed safe to reopen.
A spokesperson said: “Emergency services are dealing with an incident near to Glasgow Queen Street station.
“Until the police deem it safe to run trains again, no trains will run into and out of Glasgow Queen Street High Level.”
National Rail said disruption at the station would probably continue until 9.30pm, with cancellations and delays of up to 35 minutes to be expected.
National Rail said commuters should check their journeys through its National Rail Enquiries journey planner, and said passengers may be entitled to compensation.
A spokesperson said: “Emergency services are dealing with an incident near the railway at Glasgow Queen Street, meaning all lines are currently closed.
“Trains running to/from this station will be cancelled, delayed by up to 35 minutes or revised.”
They added: “You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today.
“Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.”
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) confirmed at about 8.30pm on Wednesday that the campus had been evacuated and closed as a precaution.
A spokesperson for GCU said: “Following direction from Police Scotland relating to the incident at Buchanan bus station, we evacuated our campus as a precaution this afternoon.
“We will be providing further updates to our staff and students in due course.”
A number of businesses in the area have also been affected. The Royal Concert Hall’s planned An Audience With Celtic Legends event was cancelled.
A number of businesses in the area have also been affected. The Royal Concert Hall’s planned An Audience With Celtic Legends event was cancelled.
On X, a spokesperson for the venue said: “An Audience With Celtic Legends – Wednesday 20 November. Due to circumstances beyond our control, this evening’s event has been cancelled.
At about 10.10pm, Glasgow city council’s Traffcom service said Killermont Street between West Nile Street and North Hanover Street is closed, as is Cowcaddens Road. All of the roads surround the bus station at their points of closure.
“All ticket holders will be contacted in due course. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
The service said drivers should follow police guidance for diversions.
A spokesperson for Traffcom added: “Due to an ongoing Police incident, Buchanan Bus Station has been closed. Police Scotland are in attendance.”
