April 23, 2004

A criminal investigation has been launched after the discovery of a suspicious white powder at a firm in Kent was found to be a hoax.

Sixty-eight staff at Galleon in the Sittingbourne Research Centre had to undergo decontamination after powder spilled out of a package.

The building was cordoned off and staff were kept inside the premises.

But on Friday police said the substance was harmless and they launched an inquiry.

'Thorough shower'

More than 60 firefighters and 11 fire engines attended the scene off Broad Oak Road shortly after 1500 BST.

Six employees had come into contact with the powder but none of the workers went on to suffer any ill effects.

Kent's Assistant Chief Constable Allyn Thomas said: "We are satisfied and we are able to tell the people involved in the incident that the powder is harmless.

"We are reluctant to discuss what it is because it is now subject to a criminal investigation.

More than 60 people underwent a decontamination procedure

"Obviously the person who perpetrated this offence and has caused all these problems knows what it is and we know what it is and that is why we do not want to discuss exactly what it is."

A decontamination facility was set up by Kent Fire and Rescue on the site where employees and two police officers underwent what was described as a "thorough shower".

A spokeswoman for the Kent and Medway NHS Ambulance Trust said an "unknown substance sprinkled out of an envelope" on to members of staff in the post room.

Staff were kept in the premises on Thursday evening while decontamination procedures were carried out.

The site was finally given the all clear at 0500 BST on Friday.

Galleon handles distribution, subscription, customer support and merchandising sales for a range of magazines including many BBC publications, Private Eye and Hello.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/3652235.stm