Channel Register

Letter bomb police make arrest

Bombs may still be in system

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Software & Security, 19th February 2007 16:39 GMT

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Police investigating a series of letter bombs earlier this month have arrested a man in Cambridge.

The authorities have also warned there might still be devices in the post en route to UK addresses.

Earlier this month, letter bombs exploded at Capita, the firm which administers London's congestion charge, an accountancy firm with links to a speed camera firm, and the DVLA. This led to suspicion that the culprit was an angry motorist. A total of seven devices were sent.

Association of Chief Police Officers' national co-ordinator for domestic extremism Anton Setchell said in a statement:

We have now reached a very significant stage in this enquiry. During the early hours of this morning, police arrested a man in the Cambridge area; he is now being held at an undisclosed police station.

As a result of his arrest, I am somewhat restricted in what I am able to say.

Forensic search teams are commencing what is going to be a lengthy search of a residential address in Cambridge. I anticipate that this will last for several days.

Setchell warned it was possible a letter bomb was still in the postal service, and warned the public to be extra wary of any dodgy looking mail. The devices were sent in A5-sized Jiffy bags.

He said the public should "maintain their vigilance" and also asked for people to restrain from speculating about what action the police were taking.

See the whole Acpo release here. ®

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