Ref:24/07 February 19, 2007
OPERATIONAL HANSEL UPDATE MEDIA STATEMENT BY: ACC ANTON SETCHELL – NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR DOMESTIC EXTREMISM

[Operation Hansel is a multi force investigation into a series of seven postal packages which contained improvised explosive devices. Since 18th January 2007, five of these seven devices have activated causing a number of people to sustain minor injuries. ACC Setchell has been leading the investigation on behalf of the relevant police forces.]

“Operation Hansel has made considerable progress during the last week. The operation continues to be a multi-force investigation which is being led by Thames Valley police, but has had strong support from the Metropolitan and Cambridgeshire police throughout, as well as from a number of other law enforcement agencies.

“We have now reached a very significant stage in this enquiry.

“During the early hours of this morning, police arrested a man in the Cambridge area; he is now being held at an undisclosed police station.

“As a result of his arrest, I am somewhat restricted in what I am able to say.

“Forensic search teams are commencing what is going to be a lengthy search of a residential address in Cambridge, I anticipate that this will last for several days.

“Undoubtedly, there will be some minor disruption to the local community during this search phase; Cambridge police have put into place an operation which will minimise any inconvenience to local residents.

“The safety of the public remains my overriding priority, at this stage I am not able to guarantee that there is not another postal package containing an explosive device within the postal system. The previous seven devices have all been contained in A5 size Jiffy type padded envelopes.

“I am therefore renewing my request to the public to maintain their vigilance and not to handle any post which appears in any way suspicious.

“If anyone is concerned about any package that arrives in the post, they should contact their local police immediately.

“We are still at a very early stage of our investigation. Again, I ask for restraint from everybody from speculating about what we are doing and why, and importantly, about any people who may be helping us with our enquiries.

“When there are any further developments I will to keep you updated.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

• The ACPO Press Office can be contacted via 020 7084 8946/47/48 (office hours) or via 07803 903686 (out of office hours).

• The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, coordinates the strategic policing response.

• ACPO’s 341 members are police officers of Assistant Chief Constable rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and other forces such as British Transport Police and States of Jersey Police.