Police swooped on a house after intercepting “bomb making equipment” bought online.
Residents in a quiet street in Linlithgow, West Lothian, were alarmed after dozens of police officers and the Army bomb squad descended on the property as part of an “ongoing inquiry”.
The house at the centre of the inquiry in Lennox Gardens has been under 24-hour guard since last Wednesday when a flurry of activity saw officers search the home and garden two days ago.
The Record understands cops were alerted to suspicious purchases online.
Sources close to the investigation said: “Equipment that could be used for making explosives was bought online. Packages were intercepted.”
Police said a man has been arrested for culpable and reckless conduct but there was no risk to the public.
Yesterday officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit searched the house. An ambulance and fire engine were sent at the same time.
Neighbours said they were stunned at the police activity.
One said: “There’s been a lot of activity but not one piece of information other than what we’re reading in the news.
“There’s been vans and cars and at first we all thought a body had been found as a tent went up in the back garden.
“The guy who lives there has been here about seven years and is very quiet. Nobody even knows if it’s anything to do with him.
“It was a worry when the bomb squad turned up yesterday, then an ambulance.”
Another neighbour said: “The guy that lives there is friendly enough and says hello in the passing. I can’t imagine what they’re looking for but another neighbour said he was told it was to do with bombs.”
Police Scotland said: “A 61-year-old man has been arrested for culpable and reckless conduct. He has been released pending further inquiry. Officers remain at the scene and inquiries are ongoing.
“We can confirm that the EOD did attend and have since left, having completed their search of the address.”
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