DNA may help in hunt for ‘bomber’

[Geezer]

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/ ... bomber___/

7:00am Sunday 1st November 2009


FORENSIC scientists are examining evidence from the scene of a controlled explosion in a bid to trace a hoax bomb-maker.

About 30 houses were evacuated so that a specialist army bomb disposal unit could destroy a device found strapped to a post box in New Street, Blackrod, on Monday.

A hoaxer had put a brick inside a green shoe box, which had protruding wires, and strapped it to the post box on the main road.

A robot was used to inspect the package which was then blown up in a controlled explosion. The robot — called a wheelbarrow — fired a jet of water which travels at the speed of sound to destroy devices.

Now police are hoping DNA evidence or fingerprints will be found on the remnants of the fake bomb and the tape used to attach it to the post box.

Superintendent John Lyons, of Bolton Police, said: “This was clearly a deliberate hoax done by someone setting out to cause mayhem and chaos. Items have now been sent of for forensic analysis and we are awaiting the results.”

Dozens of residents and children watched the action unfold from behind a police cordon and a number of roads in the area were closed by police.

Supt Lyons added: “If anyone has any information about this incident or thinks they might know why someone would target that area with a hoax, please contact the police as soon as possible.”

Alice Taule, aged 80, who was evacuated from her home, said: “I think this is probably just stupid lads messing about, but it has wasted a lot of police time.”

Police received a call at 9.15am after the package was discovered by Royal Mail staff.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.