'Malicious' packages cause post depot evacuation

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POLICE say six packages which caused a Royal Mail sorting office in Notts to be evacuated appear to have been sent with "malicious intent".

Around 200 workers were evacuated from the building in Padge Road, Beeston, after staff raised the alarm at 9.30am yesterday.

Royal Mail says "minimum disruption" was caused to the post.

Police, fire crews and a bomb squad were called to the site to test the packages, which were declared safe by 2pm.

They have now been taken away as part of a criminal investigation and Notts Police have confirmed they are treating the incident as serious.

Chief Insp Andrew Charlton, who attended the scene, would not say what was in the packages or what tests were carried out.

But he said the substance inside "was not toxic in any way, shape or form."

He said: "The investigation is now a criminal investigation.

"It is a crime to send malicious communications through the post and we are investigating that as a serious incident.

"The packages will be kept by the police now they have been declared safe."

A Notts Police spokesman said a detailed forensic examination would be carried out and that the packages appeared to have been sent with "malicious intent".

The base in Padge Road, Beeston, was closed at 10am and bomb disposal officers were called to the scene.

One worker told the Evening Post: "Everyone is wondering what is going on – there is a lot of rumour-mongering."

A Royal Mail spokesperson said staff were allowed back in the building once the package had been confirmed as harmless.

She said: "There has been minimal disruption to mail deliveries in the area.

"We have well rehearsed procedures for dealing with any such instances and will always involve the emergency services upon the discovery of any suspicious substances in the mail."

The delay was not thought to have affected first class and priority mail in Notts, but second class mail had to be dealt with by other offices.