An explosive device has detonated inside a teacher's car outside a school in Liverpool.
An explosive device has detonated inside a teacher's car outside a school in Liverpool.
The blast happened outside Runnymede St Edward's in Sandfield Park, West Derby - an independent Roman Catholic school.
The blast happened outside Runnymede St Edward's in Sandfield Park, West Derby - an independent Roman Catholic school.
Although witnesses had said the device was a nail bomb, police described it as a small improvised firework.
Although witnesses had said the device was a nail bomb, police described it as a small improvised firework.
Supt Ian Pilling described the incident as a "despicable". He said children were leaving at the time and it was lucky no-one was injured.
Supt Ian Pilling described the incident as a "despicable". He said children were leaving at the time and it was lucky no-one was injured.
Roads around the school, which is a few miles outside the city centre and has annual fees of around £5,000, have been cordoned off by police.
Roads around the school, which is a few miles outside the city centre and has annual fees of around £5,000, have been cordoned off by police.
The school was evacuated immediately after the device went off and pupils were moved another part of the building.
The school was evacuated immediately after the device went off and pupils were moved another part of the building.
No-one was injured by the blast.
No-one was injured by the blast.
I think if they had actually been inside the vehicle they would have been seriously injured or quite possibly killed Supt Ian Pilling
I think if they had actually been inside the vehicle they would have been seriously injured or quite possibly killed Supt Ian Pilling
The interior of the car was extensively damaged and the windows were smashed by the blast, which happened just 10 minutes before most of the pupils were about to begin leaving.
The interior of the car was extensively damaged and the windows were smashed by the blast, which happened just 10 minutes before most of the pupils were about to begin leaving.
Police confirmed the silver saloon belonged to a teacher and said the timing of the blast could have proved fatal.
Police confirmed the silver saloon belonged to a teacher and said the timing of the blast could have proved fatal.
Speaking near the cordoned-off entrance to the private school, Supt Ian Pilling said: "Children were in the process of leaving. Nobody was killed or injured but that was down to good luck."
Speaking near the cordoned-off entrance to the private school, Supt Ian Pilling said: "Children were in the process of leaving. Nobody was killed or injured but that was down to good luck."
He added: "I think if they had actually been inside the vehicle they would have been seriously injured or quite possibly killed.
He added: "I think if they had actually been inside the vehicle they would have been seriously injured or quite possibly killed.
"This type of offence is despicable, particularly as it was close to a school at a time when the students were due to leave.
"This type of offence is despicable, particularly as it was close to a school at a time when the students were due to leave.
"This is an extremely unusual offence and I would like to reassure the public that it appears to be an isolated incident."
"This is an extremely unusual offence and I would like to reassure the public that it appears to be an isolated incident."
Witness appeal
Witness appeal
Although he confirmed the device was in a teacher's car, Mr Pilling said there was nothing to indicate why - or indeed if - the member of Runnymede St Edward's staff was targeted.
Although he confirmed the device was in a teacher's car, Mr Pilling said there was nothing to indicate why - or indeed if - the member of Runnymede St Edward's staff was targeted.
Forensic teams remain at the scene carrying out a fingertip search of the scene and the car.
Forensic teams remain at the scene carrying out a fingertip search of the scene and the car.
Merseyside Police said a man was seen running away from the scene after the blast and are appealing for witnesses.
Merseyside Police said a man was seen running away from the scene after the blast and are appealing for witnesses.
Local resident Damon Younis, 38, who lives next to the school, said: "There was a bomb, it was a nail bomb. I don't think anyone was injured."
Local resident Damon Younis, 38, who lives next to the school, said: "There was a bomb, it was a nail bomb. I don't think anyone was injured."
Detectives are carrying out house-to-house inquiries and said the incident was "highly unusual" for the area.
Detectives are carrying out house-to-house inquiries and said the incident was "highly unusual" for the area.
Uniformed patrols will also be stepped up in the vicinity to reassure local residents.
Uniformed patrols will also be stepped up in the vicinity to reassure local residents.
Runnymede St Edward's is a Catholic independent school for boys and girls between the ages of three and 11, and is Choir School to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Liverpool.
Runnymede St Edward's is a Catholic independent school for boys and girls between the ages of three and 11, and is Choir School to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Liverpool.
It is on the same site as St Edward's College.
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