Bomb squad sent to Blantyre Health Centre after suspicious item found

Emergency services, including bomb disposal experts, police, firefighters and paramedics, raced to the health centre on Victoria Street shortly after 9.30 am, with nearby homes, businesses, and two schools caught up in the unfolding chaos.

Pictures from the scene show police cars, fire engines, and bomb disposal vehicles lining Victoria Street and sealing off the surrounding streets.

bomb (Image: Newsquest)

Calderside Academy pupils were kept inside and moved to “alternative areas within the school building” on police advice.

Parents told the Glasgow Times they had watched in fear as police cordons went up around Victoria Street and officers began turning traffic away from the busy route through the town.

One mum outside Calderside Academy said to our reporter at the scene: “I only know what my boys told me from inside the school and that’s that some sort of dodgy package has been found. We know nothing else and they’re still in the school.”

Homes on Victoria Street and Handibode Gardens were evacuated at 10am. (Image: Newsquest)

Homes on Victoria Street and Handibode Gardens were cleared shortly after 10am as the cordon was widened and residents were moved away from the health centre.

Homes on Victoria Street and Handibode Gardens were evacuated at 10am. (Image: Newsquest)

Crowds of evacuated patients, residents and workers later gathered in the car park of the nearby Asda while they waited for updates, as Calderside Academy sent a message to families saying pupils had been moved as a precaution but were safe and further information would follow.

Homes on Victoria Street and Handibode Gardens were evacuated at 10am. (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Mo Razzaq, Blantyre councillor , moved to reassure anxious families as images of police tape around the schools circulated online.

He said: “To all parents and guardians, I have been made aware that pupils at Calderside Academy and Auchinraith Primary have been asked to move to another area within their school buildings.

“I want to reassure you that there is absolutely no danger to your child. This is a precautionary measure following an incident in the nearby area, which is currently being dealt with by Police Scotland.

“All actions are in line with police advice and procedure, and both schools are responding appropriately.

“Please do not be alarmed, your child is safe, and the schools are acting responsibly in line with the guidance they have received."

@glasgowtimes 🎥Bomb Squad has been spotted at the scene of an ongoing incident near schools and Blantyre Health Centre. Live updates, link in video. #blantyre ♬ original sound - Glasgow Times

South Lanarkshire Council insisted it had contacted families through official channels and was following police guidance.

Evidence bags and evidence containers are being handled by police officers. (Image: Newsquest)

A council spokesperson said: “Parents and guardians of pupils at schools affected were contacted directly through our Parent Portal app.

“With incidents like this, we follow the advice of Police Scotland and the safety of pupils and staff is our priority.

Police Scotland confirmed a suspicious item had been discovered within the grounds of Blantyre Health Centre on Victoria Street and issued an updated statement:

3.20pm: The earlier incident police were called to attend at Blantyre Health Centre has concluded. The item posed no risk to the public & the local community are thanked for their patience & cooperation. Enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/qK46wIqU5P

— Police Scotland Lanarkshire (@PSOSLanarkshire) April 23, 2026

"The earlier incident police were called to attend at Blantyre Health Centre has concluded. The item posed no risk to the public & the local community are thanked for their patience & cooperation.

"Enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing."

Bomb disposal experts were called in to examine the package as officers at the cordon were seen handling evidence bags and containers.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called at 9.36am.

A spokesperson added: “We were alerted at 9.36am on Thursday, April 24, to an incident at a building on Victoria Street in Blantyre.

Scottish Ambulance service have confirmed that one personw as taken to hospital (Image: Newsquest)

The Scottish Ambulance Service sent a special operations team to the scene and confirmed one person had been taken to hospital.

A spokesperson said: “We received a call today at 1005 hours to attend an incident on Victoria Street in Blantyre. We dispatched one ambulance and our special operations team to the scene. We transported one patient to Hairmyres Hospital.”

NHS Lanarkshire said the health centre was forced to close for most of the day, causing major disruption to GP and clinic appointments.

In an initial statement, the health board said: “Blantyre Health Centre is currently closed due to an ongoing incident.

“We are asking patients due to attend the centre not to turn up until further notice."