Chemical scare in the centre of York

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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POSTAL workers have been evacuated from the Royal Mail sorting office in York city centre after a suspicious substance was found leaking from a package.

A specialist Detection Identification and Monitoring Unit from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the Leeman Road site to investigate the substance at about 10.40am.

Armed police officers, four fire engines and eight vehicles from Yorkshire Ambulance Service were also called to the scene and a 400-metre cordon was immediately set up around the sorting office as a precautionary measure to protect the public.

All workers at the sorting office have been evacuated and remain in a holding area just inside the cordon due to the threat of contamination.

Andy Blades, a station manager at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We were responding to a report of a suspicious package which had been found in the post office.

“Members of staff at the post office had gone though a series of tests which they conducted as routine. Those tests identified that they should call for the emergency services.”

He said that all personnel at the sorting office had been evacuated except four members of staff.

“These are the people that initially handled the substance in the package,” he said. "They are not showing any signs of ill health or being unwell, but we are keeping them inside as a precautionary measure."

He said until experts could identify the substance the cordon would remain in place. A crowd of onlookers gathered outside Westgate Park as the drama unfolded. One eyewitness said: “There is police and firefighters everywhere.

“Nobody knows what is going on but it looks really serious.

“There are tons of postal workers outside the sorting office and people who live in Westgate apartments have been told they can not get into their homes at the moment.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “In line with our well-rehearsed procedures, the emergency services were called to York Mail Centre this morning following the discovery of a suspect package.

“The health and safety of our staff is our top priority. All deliveries in York are taking place as usual today."

Leeman Road is closed to traffic and pedestrians between Station Road and Carleton Street and there is currently no indication of when the roads will reopen.

Anyone with any information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8131594 ... ng_office/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EXPERTS have confirmed a suspicious substance found leaking from a package at the Royal Mail sorting office in York city centre is non-hazardous.

The all-clear was given at 3.45pm and emergency services vehicles are now leaving the Leeman Road site.

Leeman Road remains closed to traffic and pedestrians, but the police cordon is expected to be lifted at 5.15pm.

[SpacePhoenix]

Why didn't they just use that equipment to RM got a couple of years ago to identify whatever it was?