DVLA bomb raises vendetta fear
Police are at the scene of the explosion in Swansea
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Wednesday, 07, Feb 2007 06:06
A suspected parcel bomb has exploded at the offices of the government's driving licensing agency, injuring three women.
Police say a "small explosion" occurred in the mail room of the Swansea offices of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) at about 09:10 GMT this morning.
It is the third time an incendiary device has been sent to a business in the last three days and the seventh letter bomb in total in the last three weeks, according to police.
A spokesperson for South Wales police said: "One woman has sustained minor burns and two other women have sustained hearing related injuries.
"It is too early to say whether or not there is a link to any other incident, but South Wales police are keeping an open mind and continue to liaise with national law enforcement agencies."
This Monday, the central London offices of Capita – which manages the London congestion charge – was targeted with a bomb in a Jiffy bag, injuring a female employee working in the post room.
And yesterday two workers at Vantis, the accountants for the speed camera firm Speed Check Services, were injured when a letter bomb exploded at its offices in Wokingham, Berkshire.
It also emerged today that a fourth letter bomb incident occurred in Folkestone, Kent, on Saturday.
A police spokeswoman said officers were investigating after a letter posted to a private address in the town "caused minor injuries when opened by the householder", a 53-year-old man.
Today's incident has further raised fears that a serial letter bomber with a vendetta against authorities connected with traffic enforcement is behind the attacks.
Home secretary John Reid said that the situation was worrying but called for police to be allowed to investigate the incidents without "wild speculation".
"Naturally anything like this is a cause for concern but the best thing we can do is let police get on with the job and avoid speculation about it," he said.
"Obviously if anyone has any suspicions over any packages then they should contact police – but let the police get on with the job."
Thames Valley police are leading the investigation into the any letter bombs that are linked and the entire operation is being overseen by the national coordinator for domestic extremism.
Following this morning's blast in south Wales, Hampshire police carried out a controlled explosion on a "suspect package" as a "precaution" on the A27 in Havant.
Police have not released any details about what the package was but say they are not linking it to the spate of letter bombs.