Mail bombs sent to English army 'had Ireland postmark'

A counter-terror operation is ongoing after suspected explosive devices were sent to military sites in England.

17:20 14 February 2014

Several suspected devices were sent to military sites in England. Although no specific group has claimed responsibility, the devices bear the “hallmarks of Northern Ireland-related terrorism” according to some reports.

The South East Counter Terrorism Unit (Sectu) confirmed that the packages were found at armed forces careers offices in Oxford, Slough, and Brighton yesterday. Another package was also found in a vehicle near RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.

A Sectu spokesman said: "Seven suspect packages have been identified as containing small, crude, but potentially viable devices bearing the hallmarks of Northern Ireland-related terrorism.”

"These have now been safely dealt with by the police and bomb disposal units.”

"Guidance has been issued to staff at all military establishments and Royal Mail asking them to be extra vigilant and to look out for any suspect packages and the screening procedures for mail to Armed Forces Careers offices is being reviewed."

Meanwhile, Sky’s Ireland correspondent David Blevins said: "We know that police on this side of the Irish Sea have been very concerned for some time about the growing capability of dissident Republicans - renegade groupings who oppose the peace settlement here."