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| Counter-terror police join Wiltshire inquiry into possible poisoning | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Counter-terrorism officers have joined the investigation into what caused two people in Wiltshire to fall ill. | |
| A man and a woman, both in their 40s, were in a critical condition at Salisbury district hospital, Wiltshire police said on Wednesday. | A man and a woman, both in their 40s, were in a critical condition at Salisbury district hospital, Wiltshire police said on Wednesday. |
| A spokesperson for Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command said: “As you would expect, given the recent events in Salisbury, officers from the counter-terrorism network are working jointly with colleagues from Wiltshire police regarding the incident in Amesbury. As Wiltshire police have stated, they are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances surrounding the incident and will update the public as soon and as regularly as possible.” | |
| The counter-terrorism officers will have more expertise in issues to do with nerve agents and other military grade weapons, as well as having the necessary security clearances to work with intelligence agencies. | |
| A government source did not play down the potential severity of the incident, saying it was a matter of concern and was being closely monitored. | |
| A number of sites in the Amesbury and Salisbury area were cordoned off as a precaution, although the force said it was not yet clear whether the pair were the victims of a crime. Tests were still being carried out to establish the substance that led to them becoming ill. | A number of sites in the Amesbury and Salisbury area were cordoned off as a precaution, although the force said it was not yet clear whether the pair were the victims of a crime. Tests were still being carried out to establish the substance that led to them becoming ill. |
| Neighbours said they believed the two people who fell ill had been at a hog roast organised by Amesbury Baptist church. They were not said to be regular churchgoers. The Baptist church was cordoned off. | Neighbours said they believed the two people who fell ill had been at a hog roast organised by Amesbury Baptist church. They were not said to be regular churchgoers. The Baptist church was cordoned off. |
| Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Salisbury, which includes a children’s playground and adjacent car park, was also sealed off, with police officers guarding the area. A nearby GP surgery, Harcourt medical centre, was closed to the public on Wednesday morning, although it was later reopened. Police officers were readjusting the cordon to the perimeter of the gardens. | Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Salisbury, which includes a children’s playground and adjacent car park, was also sealed off, with police officers guarding the area. A nearby GP surgery, Harcourt medical centre, was closed to the public on Wednesday morning, although it was later reopened. Police officers were readjusting the cordon to the perimeter of the gardens. |
| It was not confirmed that the sites were connected to the incident in Amesbury. | It was not confirmed that the sites were connected to the incident in Amesbury. |
| Public Health England (PHE) said it did not believe there to be a significant health risk to the wider public, although its advice was being continually assessed. | Public Health England (PHE) said it did not believe there to be a significant health risk to the wider public, although its advice was being continually assessed. |
| The incident comes exactly four months after the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were poisoned by a suspected military nerve agent in Salisbury, about eight miles from Amesbury. However, sources close to the investigation cautioned against making links to the Skripal case. | The incident comes exactly four months after the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were poisoned by a suspected military nerve agent in Salisbury, about eight miles from Amesbury. However, sources close to the investigation cautioned against making links to the Skripal case. |
| Police said the man and woman were found unconscious at an address in Muggleton Road on Saturday evening, and it was initially believed they had taken illegal drugs, but further tests were being carried out. The address is thought to be on a new housing development on the southern edge of the town, which is close to Stonehenge. | Police said the man and woman were found unconscious at an address in Muggleton Road on Saturday evening, and it was initially believed they had taken illegal drugs, but further tests were being carried out. The address is thought to be on a new housing development on the southern edge of the town, which is close to Stonehenge. |
| A police officer was posted outside one of the properties on Wednesday morning, though no cordon was in place. | |
| The mayor of Amesbury, Margaret Strange, visited the address to speak to police officers. She said she had not been told what had happened, but added: “Obviously it’s concerning when something like this happens on your doorstep.” | The mayor of Amesbury, Margaret Strange, visited the address to speak to police officers. She said she had not been told what had happened, but added: “Obviously it’s concerning when something like this happens on your doorstep.” |
| Neighbours expressed alarm at the incident. Amy Ireland, 32, said the estate was packed with firefighters, police and paramedics on Saturday. “We were on our way back from my 10-year-old son’s football presentation. There was a huge commotion. Cordons were set up and people were being moved back,” she said. | Neighbours expressed alarm at the incident. Amy Ireland, 32, said the estate was packed with firefighters, police and paramedics on Saturday. “We were on our way back from my 10-year-old son’s football presentation. There was a huge commotion. Cordons were set up and people were being moved back,” she said. |
| “People thought it was a gas leak at first. Now we don’t know what to think. It’s very worrying. My son plays out here on the green. First Salisbury, now this.” | “People thought it was a gas leak at first. Now we don’t know what to think. It’s very worrying. My son plays out here on the green. First Salisbury, now this.” |
| Another neighbour, Jake Murphy, said he had moved to Amesbury from Salisbury for the quiet life. “And then this happens. There are all sorts of rumours floating about that it’s to do with the Russians. But I don’t know if that’s right.” | Another neighbour, Jake Murphy, said he had moved to Amesbury from Salisbury for the quiet life. “And then this happens. There are all sorts of rumours floating about that it’s to do with the Russians. But I don’t know if that’s right.” |
| A police statement said: “Wiltshire police and partners have this evening declared a major incident after it is suspected that two people might have been exposed to an unknown substance in Amesbury. | A police statement said: “Wiltshire police and partners have this evening declared a major incident after it is suspected that two people might have been exposed to an unknown substance in Amesbury. |
| “Emergency services were called to an address in Muggleton Road, Amesbury on Saturday evening [30 June] after a man and woman, both in their 40s, were found unconscious in a property. They are both currently receiving treatment for suspected exposure to an unknown substance at Salisbury district hospital. They are both in a critical condition. | “Emergency services were called to an address in Muggleton Road, Amesbury on Saturday evening [30 June] after a man and woman, both in their 40s, were found unconscious in a property. They are both currently receiving treatment for suspected exposure to an unknown substance at Salisbury district hospital. They are both in a critical condition. |
| “It was initially believed that the two patients fell ill after using possibly heroin or crack cocaine from a contaminated batch of drugs. However, further testing is now ongoing to establish the substance which led to these patients becoming ill and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances surrounding this incident.” | “It was initially believed that the two patients fell ill after using possibly heroin or crack cocaine from a contaminated batch of drugs. However, further testing is now ongoing to establish the substance which led to these patients becoming ill and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances surrounding this incident.” |
| Amesbury incident - police cordon at the baptist church. pic.twitter.com/JRzIBH2Lu2 | Amesbury incident - police cordon at the baptist church. pic.twitter.com/JRzIBH2Lu2 |
| A number of sites believed to be areas the man and woman frequented before they fell ill were cordoned off overnight. There was no cordon at the ambulance station in Amesbury. | A number of sites believed to be areas the man and woman frequented before they fell ill were cordoned off overnight. There was no cordon at the ambulance station in Amesbury. |
| A branch of the chemist shop Boots in Amesbury is also closed and being guarded by police. | |
| Meanwhile, there was an increased police presence in and around Amesbury and Salisbury. Salisbury district hospital was open as usual and officials advised people to attend routine appointments unless contacted to do otherwise. | Meanwhile, there was an increased police presence in and around Amesbury and Salisbury. Salisbury district hospital was open as usual and officials advised people to attend routine appointments unless contacted to do otherwise. |
| A PHE spokesman said: “The current advice from PHE England, based upon the number of casualties affected, is that it is not believed that there is a significant health risk to the wider public. This will be continually assessed as further information becomes known.” | A PHE spokesman said: “The current advice from PHE England, based upon the number of casualties affected, is that it is not believed that there is a significant health risk to the wider public. This will be continually assessed as further information becomes known.” |
| Sergei and Yulia Skripal spent weeks in Salisbury district hospital where they were treated for suspected exposure to the Russian-created nerve agent novichok. The British government has accused Moscow of being behind the attack. | Sergei and Yulia Skripal spent weeks in Salisbury district hospital where they were treated for suspected exposure to the Russian-created nerve agent novichok. The British government has accused Moscow of being behind the attack. |
| Press Association contributed to this report | Press Association contributed to this report |
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