Issue 152

Police warning after DVLA letter bombing

12th February 2007

The police are warning businesses and members of the public to take care after several letter bombs have been received over the last three weeks – one of which injured four people in Swansea on Wednesday.

Four workers at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority in the Llansamlet area of Swansea were injured after the letter bomb exploded in the post room of the building at around 9:30am. One woman was taken to hospital to be treated for cuts to her hands and body.

A cordon was placed around the surrounding streets and workers were told to stay at their desks while the post room was examined by the police.

This is the latest of seven letter bombs to go off over the last three weeks and the third last week. Earlier last week a package exploded at the central London headquarters of Capita – the company managing the city's congestion charge injuring an employee. A day later another device caused minor injuries to two people at the offices of Vantis – a company that deals with the mail for Speed Check Services which provides speed cameras to the police.

These packages follow four others in the last few weeks sent to forensic science labs in Birmingham and Oxford as well as a private address in Folkestone, Kent.

John Reid, Home Secretary has described the situation as "worrying".

Assistant Chief Constable Anton Satchel who is the National Co-ordinator for Domestic Extremism has called for businesses and the public to be on the look out for suspect packages. He has also appealed for anyone with information to contact their local police station or crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Dafydd Vaughan