UK says suspicious parcels have 'hallmarks of N.Ireland terrorism'

Seven suspicious packages sent to army recruitment offices in England contained "viable devices" bearing the hallmarks of "Northern Ireland terrorism", a spokeswoman from Prime Minister David Cameron's office said on Thursday.
   
"Seven suspect packages have been identified as containing small, crude, but potentially viable devices bearing the hallmarks of Northern Ireland related terrorism," the spokeswoman said in a statement. "These have now been safely dealt with by the police and bomb disposal units."

This comes as bomb-disposal teams have been dispatched and streets cordoned off after suspicious packages were sent to several British Army recruitment offices in southern England.
     
Counter terrorism police said packages were found Thursday in the towns of Oxford, Slough and Brighton, while similar packages were found earlier this week in Aldershot, Reading and Chatham.
     
The Ministry of Defense said military explosives teams were supporting the police investigation.
         
Police said all army careers offices and post offices had been told to be "extra vigilant."


AP