Police probe 'IRA' link to London and Glasgow suspect devices
- Published
The device sent to Heathrow Airport caught fire when staff opened it
Detectives investigating devices sent to addresses in London and Glasgow have said a claim of responsibility has been made in the name of the "IRA".
The Met and Police Scotland said similar packages were sent in the past by dissident Northern Ireland groups.
Officers also revealed that one package may be unaccounted for.
The devices arrived on 5 and 6 March at Waterloo Station, buildings near Heathrow Airport and London City Airport and the University of Glasgow.
A joint statement from Police Scotland and the Metropolitan Police said the claim of "IRA" responsibility was received on Monday by the Belfast-based Irish News, external. A recognised codeword was used.
Bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion following the Glasgow discovery
It added: "Given the packages received last week bore similarities to devices sent in the past which were linked to dissident groups associated with Northern Ireland-related terrorism, officers were already looking at this as a line of inquiry. However, we continue to keep an open mind and enquiries continue.
"We are also aware that those claiming responsibility have indicated five devices were sent. At this time, only four devices have been recovered.
"Extensive advice has already been issued to relevant businesses and sectors to be vigilant for and report suspicious packages to police. This advice was previously sent to armed forces personnel and is being reiterated again in light of this claim.
"We continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to police."
Who are 'the new IRA'?
Julian O'Neill, BBC Northern Ireland Home Affairs Correspondent
The vehicle on fire after an explosion in Londonderry
The parcel bomb incidents come almost a year after MI5 downgraded the threat posed in Britain by Irish Republicans.
It is currently classified as "moderate", meaning attacks are possible, but not likely.
In Northern Ireland, the risk is greater, exemplified by a car bomb which detonated in Londonderry in January.
All the attacks were claimed by an organisation calling itself the IRA.
It is often referred to as "the new IRA", to distinguish it from the group which was active in Northern Ireland's troubles.
It is comprised of dissidents who never accepted its namesake's ceasefire more than 20 years ago.
Police on both sides of the Irish Sea have mostly been able to contain its threat.
They have described it as "a small" organisation, perhaps with 50 or so actively engaging in terrorist activity.
On 5 March, three "small improvised explosive devices" were found at sites across London.
Scotland Yard said the packages were all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags. One caught fire when opened by staff at Heathrow.
Irish police have been assisting the Met as the Heathrow and Waterloo packages had Republic of Ireland stamps.
The following day, a suspect package was found in the mail room at Glasgow University.
Several university buildings were evacuated before bomb disposal officers detonated the item.