Police are continuing to search a university halls of residence at the centre of a bomb disposal operation.

A student from Aberdeen University is currently being held under the Mental Health Act after police were called on Saturday night. 

A small section of the Esslement block of apartments at the Hillhead halls of residence continues to be cordoned off on Monday afternoon whilst forensic teams search the area and police investigate. Students are again able to walk freely around the site of the bomb scare which saw 35 evacuated on Sunday night.

At around 1pm on Sunday, the accommodation was evacuated of students as a precaution but police stressed there was no imminent danger to other residents.

The incident continued throughout Sunday and the bomb disposal team finally left the scene before midnight. Students were given alternative accommodation. Specialist search officers working with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal have now confirmed that the area was 'safe' for the public. The EOD is the British Army's specialist unit responsible for the recovery and safe disposal of bombs.

It is claimed that a chemistry student had been trying to make the drug crystal meth in his room.

A spokeswoman for the University of Aberdeen said on Sunday night: "One of our students was behaving in a way that was causing concern and he has been taken into care.

Students affected by the evacuation of the block at Hillhead halls of residence have been temporarily given alternative accommodation to allow police to ensure the area is safe for their return. The university is co-operating fully with Grampian Police."

Grampian Police were keen to emphasise that no persons have been injured as a result of the incident. The force were still at the student village on Monday morning, and will maintain a presence at the campus to allow enquiries to be concluded. 

A police spokesperson said: "This is an ongoing inquiry and no further comment can be made at this time."

The Hillhead complex is described by the university as a student 'village' on the south bank of the River Don close to Seaton Park.It offers accommodation to 2500 students and is a 15-minute walk to the main University campus. Esslemont block contains self-catering flats with single-study bedrooms.

IN DETAIL:

• Bomb disposal team attends University halls

IN PICTURES:

• Gallery: Bomb scare