School nail bomb: Motive unclear say police

Sep 22 2007

The motive behind a home-made nail bomb explosion inside a teacher’s car is still a mystery, police have said.

Pupils narrowly escaped injury when the device, thought to be a large firework with nails buried inside, went off only minutes before the end of the school day.

No-one was injured in the blast in the car park outside Runnymede St Edward’s school in Sandfield Park, West Derby, Liverpool on Friday afternoon.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “Police were called to the school at 2.50pm after firefighters attended what was initially believed to be a car on fire, however, when they attended they discovered the vehicle, a silver Micra, had been subject to an explosion.

“The improvised firework device had caused damage to the inside of the car and windows, but fortunately no-one was injured in the incident.

“Extensive searches have taken place at the scene and house-to-house inquiries are ongoing. Police are appealing to anyone who was around the area where the school is situated and may have seen someone acting suspiciously to contact them.

“Detectives are also examining CCTV and at this stage there is no known motive for the attack.”

The Micra was parked 30ft from the windows of the £4,500-a-year independent school.

Police are looking for two men seen near the school at the time of the explosion.

One was white, stocky, about 5ft 10in and aged between 40 and 50 with light-coloured hair. They have no description of the second man.

Police officers will be at the school prior to opening on Monday to ask parents and pupils if they saw anyone acting suspiciously.

During the day officers will meet teachers and parents to discuss the explosion and the ongoing investigation.

Superintendent Ian Pilling, from Merseyside Police, said it was a “despicable” crime.

“This was a despicable and dangerous act; fortunately no-one was injured.

“We need help from members of the public to bring the offenders to justice.

“The area around the school would have been very busy and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to contact the police immediately.

“The incident happened shortly before the children were due to leave school and this could have resulted in serious injury, or possible fatality.

He went on: “This was a reckless attack on a school grounds as we are determined to catch those responsible.

“This is an extremely unusual offence and I would like to reassure the public that it appears to be an isolated incident.

“We will do our utmost to bring the offender to justice.”