Police in the United Kingdom recently made several arrests as part of their investigation into a series of letter bombs mailed to animal-related enterprises. A police spokesman said they had arrested a 26-year-old man, a 36-year-old man, and a 31-year-old woman as part of their investigation.
Police also managed to recover three bombs that had been prepared and were about to be sent to animal enterprises in the UK. The bombs were recovered and rendered inoperable by bomb disposal experts.
In all 11 business were targeted by the bombs which were packed with explosives and nails designed to cause injury to anyone opening the letters. Only five of the devices actually detonated, but three of those explosions resulted in serious injuries.
A six-year-old girl suffered leg wounds on New Year’s Eve from a bomb sent to her father. He was apparently targeted because he owns a pest control service. A farmer suffered facial injuries after he opened one of the bombs as well. The most serious injury, however, was to a female employee of an estate agency who suffered facial injuries that caused serious damage to one of her eyes.
Hopefully police have discovered all those responsible and a dangerous terrorist cell has been taken out of circulation.
Sources:
Police arrest three after letter-bomb campaign. Andrew Walker, The Scotsman, February 22, 2001.
Suspects arrested in letter-bomb case. Maria Breslin, The Independent (London), February 22, 2001.
Three held by letter bomb police. Mary O’Hara, The Guardian (London), February 22, 2001