Emergency services were called to Reid Avenue in Linwood at around 9.30am on May 5 following reports of an item at a property. Officers quickly cordoned off the area, with homes on both Reid Avenue and nearby Bridge of Weir Road evacuated as a precaution.
A significant police presence built up throughout the morning, with CID officers, specialist search teams and police dogs all drafted in to assist.
Police and bomb disposal units were deployed to a Renfrewshire street (Image: Newsquest)
Two explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) vans were also seen at the scene.
Police and bomb disposal units were deployed to a Renfrewshire street (Image: Newsquest)
Part of Bridge of Weir Road was closed off while investigations were carried out, with residents kept at a distance for several hours as officers examined the item.
Police and bomb disposal units were deployed to a Renfrewshire street (Image: Newsquest)
One local resident described the scale of the response, saying: “There has been a suspicious package left outside a house. My daughter has been evacuated. There is a mega police presence. I’ve never seen so many police in my life.”
Police Scotland later confirmed that the item did not pose a wider threat.
A spokesperson said: “Around 9.30am on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, we were called to a report of a suspicious item at a property on Reid Avenue in Linwood.
“Officers and explosive ordnance disposal attended and the building and nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution.
“The item was assessed and confirmed to pose no risk to the public.”
