Bomb scare at Covid vaccine factory in Wrexham leads to arrest of Chatham man suspected of sending suspicious package
13:58, 28 January 2021
updated: 17:05, 28 January 2021
A Kent man has been arrested after a suspicious package was sent to a Covid vaccine factory forcing the plant to be evacuated.
The 53-year-old from Chatham is being questioned after raids were carried out at two addresses in the town this morning.
Production was suspended at the site used by a supply partner of AstraZeneca in Wrexham, north Wales yesterday.
Army bomb disposal teams were called to the factory which fills doses of the vaccine filled into vials before it is distributed.
Soldiers from the Royal Logistics Corps were brought in by North Wales Police to examine the package before sending it off for analysis.
Officers launched an investigation into the incident.
Kent Police today said a man from Chatham had been detained and is in custody following the warrants at two properties in Luton Road and Chatham Hill.
A spokesman said: "As part of ongoing enquiries, which are being carried out by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, pre-planned warrants took place at addresses in Luton Road and Chatham Hill, Chatham, on the morning of Thursday, January 28.
"A 53-year-old man from Chatham has been arrested on suspicion of sending the package and remains in custody as inquiries continue.
"There is no evidence to suggest there is an ongoing threat."
Police were called at about 10.40am on Wednesday morning after the package arrived at the Wockhardt UK factory.
The site puts the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine into vials before it is distributed.
Downing Street and the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford were kept informed of developments throughout the day as police and soldiers remained at the scene into the night.
In a statement yesterday, Wockhardt said the company's production schedule had not been affected and staff returned to work after evacuating some of its staff from the factory.
A spokesman for the company said: “Wockhardt UK in Wrexham received a suspicious package.
“All relevant authorities were immediately notified and engaged. Upon expert advice we have partially evacuated the site pending a full investigation. The safety of our employees and business continuity remains of paramount importance.”
A police cordon was in place for most of the day and the public were warned to stay away from the area.
