Saltburn-by-the-Sea under threat of bomb attack

The picturesque coastal town of Saltburn is the unlikely target of the bomb threat.

The quiet seaside town of Saltburn on the outskirts of Middlesbrough was the target of a suspected bomb attack on Tuesday.

Cleveland Police were called just after 11am after a woman was seen buying tools that could be used for a bomb from a local hardware store and was acting suspiciously.

Worried for her welfare, police tracked the white woman, who was wearing a hijab, to the beachfront where they held a standoff for over eight hours.

Businesses on the lower promenade by the beach were evacuated and a cordon was put in place to prevent public access to the area.

Officers from the army bomb disposal unit and trained negotiators were called to the scene.

At 7:20pm police managed to detain the 40-year-old woman, who at one point was knelt on the floor. She was arrested under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

Supt Ciaron Irvine of Cleveland Police said: “This was a fairly lengthy incident with a successful outcome.  My officers and their counterparts from other agencies worked professionally and efficiently together to bring the matter to a safe conclusion.

“I would like to thank Saltburn residents who have endured a degree of disruption– their understanding, support and co-operation is much appreciated.”