Families evacuated after bomb found near school

Jul 7 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

FAMILIES were evacuated and a police cordon was set up around a primary school in Kirkby yesterday following the discovery of a home-made nail bomb.

Merseyside police and an army bomb disposal team were called to Fleetwood Gardens at 10.30am following reports that a Ford Focus car was on fire and what was believed to be an improvised explosive device (IED) had been discovered close to the vehicle.

Officers evacuated eight families from their homes and set up a cordon while bomb disposal experts examined the device which had been found outside the vehicle.

One evacuated resident said his family were shocked and terrified when officers knocked on their door and said a nail bomb had been discovered in the street.

He added that he couldn’t believe that somebody would plant such a device so close to a primary school.

Police last night said they did not yet know whether the device had ever been inside the car but added that they did not believe at this stage that the fire had been caused by an explosion.

They are now investigating what caused the car to set on fire.

It is understood that while the area around Eastcroft Primary School was cordoned off, no children were evacuated.

A spokesman for Merseyside police said the incident was not being linked to any recent terrorist attacks or security scares.

He said: “After taking advice from the bomb disposal team regarding the evacuation of the local school it was agreed that the size of the cordon was more than adequate for the type of device being dealt with and there was no reason for the school to be evacuated.

“Police community support officers and school advocates visited the school to speak to them about any concerns they may have had and to offer reassurance.

“The investigation into the suspect device is ongoing and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances surrounding its discovery.

“While we would encourage the public to remain vigilant at this time, they should not be unduly worried about this particular incident.”

Fleetwood Gardens resident William Stock said he couldn’t believe what he was hearing when officers told him his family must evacuate their home because a bomb had been found.

He said: “Officers knocked on our door and said we had to leave the house as they had found some sort of device in a car.

“They told us it was a nail bomb and that was about it.

“The road was cordoned off al day. We just couldn’t believe it –- especially round here.

“It was right next to a school which is especially shocking.

“We are all fine now but at the time we were scared and just didn’t know what to think.

“I just hope the police find the person responsible.”

A Knowsley council spokesperson said:: “As the area around the school had been cordoned off, staff at the school phoned parents and asked them to pick children up at the end of the day from the school’s rear entrance instead.

“The children all went home safely and Merseyside police have assured us that at no point was the safety of the pupils compromised.

“The cordon was still in place at home time which blocked off the school’s normal entrance. We understand however that the school will be open on Monday as normal.”

carolineinnes