Bomb hoax forces post office evacuation

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Bomb hoax forces post office evacuation

Oct 23 2007

By Judith Clay


STAFF and shoppers were evacuated from a Easthampstead post office when a bomb hoax placed the store on high alert.

The post office,in the Co-op store in Rectory Row, was closed on Thursday afternoon after staff discovered a message on their answerphone which stated a bomb had been planted in the store.

It remained closed for the rest of the day while police combed the area for a device and interviewed staff.

Melina Roberts, 19, who works at nearby Lloyds pharmacy, said: "I didn't really know what was happening at first, which was worrying. You don't expect people to target a little shop like that but I think you have to take things like this seriously."

At 12.50pm, police received a report that someone had called the shop claiming an explosion would take place in the shop at 3.56pm that day.

Bracknell's top cop Chief Insp Simon Bowden said: "All the indications were that the threat was not genuine.

"The incident was risk assessed by officers according to standard procedures and was dealt with appropriately.

"A sergeant and two constables were at the scene to reassure the public and explain police procedures during an incident of this kind."

Chief Insp Bowden said that the police always assess a report of a bomb threat in line with national guidance and adhere stringently to agreed policy.

He added that managers of stores should equip themselves with Home Office publication Bombs - Protecting People and Property, which can be downloaded from the Thames Valley Police website.

He said: "I have spoken to the Co-op area manager, explained police procedures and arranged for the publication to be supplied to all the shops at Rectory Row.

"My concern is that the actions of the foolhardy individual who made the hoax call has frightened and intimidated local people. This is appalling behaviour."