Warning after parcel bomb find

A senior police officer issued a warning after an explosive device was sent to a Labour Party office.

Police said a member of staff at the office in Cambridge became suspicious about a package and alerted the emergency services.

But Chief Superintendent Rob Needle said the "crude, home-made device" could have caused injury had it gone off. And he warned people to be vigilant and contact police if they were suspicious about any packages arriving in their post.

He said the arrival of the package on Wednesday came after a number of organisations had received "hate mail" in recent weeks.

But Mr Needle said officers were not linking the incident with any major terrorist activity.

"The device was posted to the Cambridge Labour headquarters," said Mr Needle.

"It was discovered in the post by a member of staff, who alerted police."

He added: "It was a small but potentially dangerous device which could have caused injury.

"I am appealing today to the public to take extra care in opening their post and if they have any suspicions about any letter or package to leave it unopened and immediately call the police.

"The device is being further examined and we are carrying out an urgent investigation into who may have sent this and why."