EDINBURGH BOMB SCARE: Police arrest man after bomb squad investigates ‘suspicious package’

POLICE have arrested a man after bomb squads uncovered a "suspicious package" in a flat in Edinburgh.

Locals were evacuated from their homes in the Niddrie district of the city after the package was found.

A police spokesman said the device was not lethal nor did it pose a threat to the public.

He said: "Police in Edinburgh attended an address in Niddrie after concerns were raised about a suspicious package earlier today.

"Specialist engineers from the EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] attended. The surrounding homes have been evacuated as a precaution while engineers assess the package.

"Police have detained a 40-year-old man after a suspicious package was found at an address."

Pictures emerged on social media showing a bomb disposal unit arriving in heavily-clad gear strolling towards the scene with two soldiers.

Tensions around Europe remain high following a string of high-profile terror attacks.

A Syrian man blew himself up in the village of Ansbach outside a music festival on Sunday

Only the bomber was killed but 15 people were injured in the attack.

A video was found on the bomber’s phone pledging allegiance to the death-cult Islamic State.

The attack came just days after 18-year-old Ali David Sonboly shot nine people dead, including seven teenagers, in Munich last week.

Although Sonboly had no links to terrorist extremism, Germany and neighbouring France have experienced a host of terror attacks.

In the past 12 months, France has experienced Islamist terror attacks both in Paris and Nice which has killed a total of 214 people.

Both countries have called a state of emergency following the brutal attacks.