PART of the town centre of an East Dunbartonshire town has been shut down following what was suspected to be an 'explosive device' at a bank.
The busy Cowgate of Kirkintilloch was shut down for over 13 hours between West High Street and Catherine Street by police with emergency services on the scene since around 4am today.
As residents were evacuated and dozens of shop staff were unable to access businesses, reports suggest that gas canisters were found near the premises of the Santander bank. Other unconfirmed reports suggests there was an attempt to blow up THE bank ATM.
Santander confirmed there was an incident involving their ATM machine in the early hours of this morning.
Blue and red canisters could be seen strapped together with clear tape on the ground outside the Santander branch on Monday afternoon. Hoses could also been seen coming from the device.
Police say other equipment was also found at around 4.49am, and officers will be reviewing CCTV footage in the area.
Specialist bomb squad officers were understood to be in attendance alongside firefighters.
It is understood shops have been told that they were not expected to get access to premises until the early afternoon. Some are understood to have been allowed back into shops at around 12.15pm.
Officers said the street has been shut down to all vehicles and pedestrians, while residents nearby have been evacuated “as a precaution”.
Police say there is no threat to the wider public at this time.
A police spokesperson said: "Police Scotland report that following an incident at Santander in Cowgate, Kirkintilloch in the early hours of this morning, the Cowgate, between West High Street and Catherine Street is currently closed to all vehicles and pedestrians."
"A number of residents in nearby properties have been evacuated from their homes as a precaution, however there is no threat to the wider public at this time."
East Dunbartonshire Council had earlier tweeted: "Please note, due to an ongoing incident, Cowgate in Kirkintilloch is currently closed. Please avoid the area for the time being."
Workers who were due to open shops in the town centre had to wait behind the cordons as police carried out their investigation in the deserted section of the town centre.
Detective Inspector Clark Hill, of Greater Glasgow CID, said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the Cowgate area of Kirkintilloch between 2am and 4.50am.
“Anyone who may have been in the immediate area in a vehicle fitted with a dash-cam is asked to check their device to see if it might contain any footage which would assist this enquiry."
A Santander spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that an incident involving our ATM took place at our Kirkintlloch branch early this morning and we are supporting the police with their investigations.
"The branch wasn’t scheduled to be open today due to the Bank Holiday, and will reopen tomorrow as usual.”
East Dunbartonshire Council confirmed at around 5.30pm on Monday that the Cowgate in Kirkintilloch has been reopened.
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