Emergency service cars seized in relation to Novichok poisoning

16 July 2018

Wiltshire Times - Richard Mills 

EMERGENCY SERVICE cars in Chippenham and at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance base in Semington were seized this morning in relation to the Amesbury Novichok poisoning.

Wiltshire Police seized a car at Monkton Park car park at 10.30am and the other police car was taken at a similar time in Semington too.

Chief Constable for Wiltshire Police Kier Pritchard was in attendance at Monkton Park. 

Superintendent Dave Minty said: "You will see an increased police and army presence on site for approximately one hour, to ensure the efficient loading and removal of the car," he wrote.

"This task is carried out by officers wearing full protection Hazmat suits who are fully trained in safe removal of vehicles, so please do not be alarmed.

"We are working hard to keep the disruption for yourselves and the public to a minimum. There is no police cordon and once the vehicle has been removed, police will leave the scene and the car park will be open to the public as normal."

The car at Monkton Park, which was at the back of the Wiltshire Council offices car park at the top of Monkton Hill, was driven away by a police convoy around 1.20pm.

Businesses in the surrounding area were unaware of any incident taking place.

Manager of The Hair Company on New Road, Caron Baker said that she didn't notice anything going on as police cars are always driving up and down the road.  "None of my clients coming in have said anything."

Chippenham Carnival is still going ahead tomorrow as planned.

A spokesman for Chippenham Connected, said: "Chippenham Carnival will be back bigger than ever on Saturday, July 14 with free entertainmant from 12pm in Island Park. No contaminated carsw can put a stop to this vintage fun weekend."

Police have since revealed a small bottle containing novichok has been found in the home of Charlie Rowley in Amesbury and scientists will now carry out tests to see if the substance is from the same batch as the first nerve agent attack.

Police have since revealed a small bottle containing novichok has been found in the home of Charlie Rowley in Amesbury and scientists will now carry out tests to see if the substance is from the same batch as the first nerve agent attack.