Police Reassure After Suspicious Packages

Police are insisting there's no need for the public to worry despite the discovery of four suspicious packages in a week.

They were all found in the Corby and Kettering areas of north Northamptonshire between Monday 28 March 2011 and Friday 1 April.  One of the packages, found in Barton Seagrave in Kettering, was blown up in a controlled explosion.

Police say there's been no risk to the public and that they took the action they did as a precaution.

Detective Superintendent Mark Evans, from Crime and Justice Command, said: "The discovery of such packages and substances is very rare in Northamptonshire and I can understand that the discovery of four such items in such close proximity has caused concern to people. However, I would like to reassure people that the public were never at risk.

"As I am sure the people of Northamptonshire would expect, we treat such incidents extremely seriously and our primary aim is to make sure that there is no risk to the public and respond appropriately, and that is what we did in each of these incidents.

"The incidents appear not to be linked and the discoveries seem to be a coincidence in timing.

"I know people are worried about what has happened, but I do want to reassure them that at no point was there any danger to the public and that the action taken was necessary given the nature of what was found in each case.

"I would urge anyone who has any concerns about these events to speak to their local Safer Community Team, on 03000 111 222.”

Monday 28 March - Corby

Two suspicious packages found by members of the public at Corby Boating Lake.  Investigations revealed there were no explosive components within the packages but work is still taking place to establish why the packages were in the lake.

Thursday 31 March - Kettering

Officers conducting a search of a property in Warkton Lane, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, following the arrest of a 29-year-old man for money laundering offences, found chemical substances inside, and as a precautionary measure sealed off the premises.

An examination of the substances revealed no concern for public safety and officers are now exploring the possibility that the substances are connected to the production of drugs. The 29-year-old man has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Thursday 31 March - Corby

A suspicious package was found in a wooded area near Alberta Close, Corby.  An assessment showed that there was no explosive component in the package which is believed to be an old MoD dummy device and is believed to have been at the location for some time.

Friday 1 April - Kettering

Officers out on patrol discovered a small piece of pipe with sealed ends in Barton Road, Kettering.  Following an assessment by EOD a small, controlled explosion of the package took place as a precautionary measure.