This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6338003.stm
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 13 | Version 14 |
---|---|
Parcel bomb injures DVLA worker | Parcel bomb injures DVLA worker |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Four workers at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) building in Swansea, have been taken to hospital after a parcel bomb exploded. | |
The incident happened in the post room of the Swansea site shortly after 0920 GMT. | |
Seven devices have been received across the UK in the last three weeks, with six people suffering minor injuries. | |
The attack in Swansea follows others on motoring-related companies this week in Folkestone, Wokingham and London. | |
An army bomb disposal squad escorted by two police cars arrived at the DVLA at 1300 GMT. | An army bomb disposal squad escorted by two police cars arrived at the DVLA at 1300 GMT. |
The Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal team was waved through the police cordon. | The Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal team was waved through the police cordon. |
The bomb disposal unit arrived at 1300 GMT | |
South Wales Police said a woman had been injured in "a small letter-type explosion" at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which maintains UK-wide registers of drivers and vehicles. | South Wales Police said a woman had been injured in "a small letter-type explosion" at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which maintains UK-wide registers of drivers and vehicles. |
A spokeswoman said: "The scene where the explosion took place has been cordoned off and evacuated. | A spokeswoman said: "The scene where the explosion took place has been cordoned off and evacuated. |
"Police are speaking to the management team at the DVLA to decide if it's necessary to evacuate the rest of the building." | "Police are speaking to the management team at the DVLA to decide if it's necessary to evacuate the rest of the building." |
The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were called at 0921 GMT and arrived five minutes later. | The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were called at 0921 GMT and arrived five minutes later. |
Morriston NHS Trust said: "A Swansea woman was brought to the A&E department at Morriston hospital shortly after 10am following an incident at the DVLA. | Morriston NHS Trust said: "A Swansea woman was brought to the A&E department at Morriston hospital shortly after 10am following an incident at the DVLA. |
MAIL-BOMB LOCATIONS 1 Forensic Science Service, Chelmsley Wood - 18 Jan 20072 Orchid Cellmark, Abingdon, Oxon - 18 Jan 20073 LGC Forensics, Culham, nr Abingdon - 18 Jan 20074 Private house, Folkestone, Kent - 3 Feb 20075 Capita, London - 5 Feb 20076 Vantis, Wokingham, Berks - 6 Feb 20077 DVLA, Swansea - 7 Feb 2007 | |
"She is undergoing treatment at the present time and has been assessed by a consultant. Her condition is stable and not life-threatening." | "She is undergoing treatment at the present time and has been assessed by a consultant. Her condition is stable and not life-threatening." |
The ambulance service said two other people had been treated for shock at the scene. | The ambulance service said two other people had been treated for shock at the scene. |
Police are stopping people from entering the building which employs 4,000 personnel, and the area has been cordoned off. | Police are stopping people from entering the building which employs 4,000 personnel, and the area has been cordoned off. |
One worker, Vivien Hodge, said: "They tried to reassure us that the building is safe, yet they are not letting evening shift come in tonight. | |
"They are bringing sniffer dogs in and there are a lot of nervous people working there." | |
Ms Hodge added workers had been told to report as normal on Thursday. | |
Public and Commercial Services Union's senior officer for Wales Jeff Evans said: "Staff are being told to stay calm, but priority has to be given to their safety now. | Public and Commercial Services Union's senior officer for Wales Jeff Evans said: "Staff are being told to stay calm, but priority has to be given to their safety now. |
"The most important thing is to make sure there are no further devices. We now want a proper risk assessment on the position at DVLA offices across the country. | "The most important thing is to make sure there are no further devices. We now want a proper risk assessment on the position at DVLA offices across the country. |
An urgent security review is now required and other government departments need to be vigilant PSU's Jeff Evans | |
"An urgent security review is now required and other government departments need to be vigilant." | "An urgent security review is now required and other government departments need to be vigilant." |
Welsh Conservative AM for South Wales West Alun Cairns said he was shocked and horrified. | Welsh Conservative AM for South Wales West Alun Cairns said he was shocked and horrified. |
"We will be setting up meetings with the DVLA, police and staff in order to assess the consequences of this attack and ways of protecting personnel in the workplace." | "We will be setting up meetings with the DVLA, police and staff in order to assess the consequences of this attack and ways of protecting personnel in the workplace." |
Swansea Councillor Ray Wellsby said there had been concerns regarding security in the building in the past. | Swansea Councillor Ray Wellsby said there had been concerns regarding security in the building in the past. |
"Obviously with the redevelopment that's going on inside the building... more people will be coming into the area to do business with the DVLA and therefore we want greater security." | "Obviously with the redevelopment that's going on inside the building... more people will be coming into the area to do business with the DVLA and therefore we want greater security." |
Home Secretary John Reid said: "Naturally, these incidents are worrying. It is important we allow police to get on with their investigation without undue speculation." | Home Secretary John Reid said: "Naturally, these incidents are worrying. It is important we allow police to get on with their investigation without undue speculation." |
Assistant Chief Constable Anton Setchell, the national coordinator for domestic extremism, is leading the investigation into the apparent letter bombing campaign. | Assistant Chief Constable Anton Setchell, the national coordinator for domestic extremism, is leading the investigation into the apparent letter bombing campaign. |