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Nail bomb brings terror to streets

30/12/2002

A PACKAGE containing a potentially lethal nail bomb forced Stalybridge into a state of alert.

Army bomb disposal teams were drafted in after a Mossley man found a suspicious package in his back yard and took it into Stalybridge police station at around 11.32am on December 28.

Officers evacuated the station and cordoned off surrounding streets.

The package was found to contain two explosive devices - described as firework based - which experts made safe.

Insp Vincent Greener said the situation could have had deadly consequences.

"One of the devices would have blown your hand off if ignited but the other would certainly have caused lethal injuries within a 30m radius. It was certainly a serious incident," said Insp Greener.

"We are following lines of inquiry but we have no idea as to the rationale behind it as yet. It could have been made for all kinds of reasons."

Investigating officer Det Cons Darren Byrne said the man found the package - a tin - in a pile of fire wood. It's not thought the man was a particular target but investigations are continuing.

Stalybridge and Ashton fire crews helped to cordon off a 600m area around the station which was reopened at around 3.30pm the same day.