Merseyside Police have passed on the following information to the Chamber’s Business Crime Direct team, in response to the recent spate of letter bomb attacks in the UK.
“I think I may have received a letter bomb… What do I do?”
Letter bombs - or Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) to give them their technical term - can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Packages the size of paper-back books have been among the more successful. However, although they may be large, they do not need to be bulky and can be found in envelopes as well.
If in doubt, do not tamper!
It isn’t necessary to open an envelope or package in any particular way to initiate an IED. It may just be triggered by an attempt, however slight, to open the outer cover.
Recognising a suspect parcel or package
Pointers to look out for in determining whether a package or letter is suspect include:
Point of origin
Look at the postmark or name of sender, if given. If it’s from an unusual point of origin or sender then treat it as suspect.
Type of envelope
If it’s in a Jiffy bag or similar type of padded envelope treat it as suspect.
Method of addressing
Dry transfer instant lettering - for example ‘Letraset’, or ‘Uno Stencil’ - has previously been used by terrorists to print the address. Particularly if this method has been applied unevenly, treat it as suspect.
Manuscript of sender
If it’s an usual style of writing, perhaps one that doesn’t look familiar, treat it as suspect.
Balance
If the package or letter is lop-sided treat it as suspect.
Weight
If the weight of the package seems excessive for its size treat it as suspect.
Protruding wires
If you see any sign of wiring treat it as suspect.
Small hole
If you spot a pin hole in the package wrapping or envelope treat it as suspect.
Grease marks
If you see grease marks on the package or the envelope these may possibly have been caused by the incendiary composition or explosive - treat it as suspect.
Smell
If the package smells unusual and, in particular, if it smells like almonds or marzipan treat it as suspect.
Contents
If the appearance suggests a book is inside and you’re not expecting one treat it as suspect. DO NOT PRESS OR FLEX THE PACKAGE
Envelope flap
If the envelope flap has an un-gummed gap of about 3 - 5 mm treat it as suspect.
Additionally, in the case of a suspect letter, look out for:
The feel
DO NOT PRESS OR FLEX. The feel of the letter will indicate whether there is only folded paper inside the envelope (indicating that the contents are not dangerous). If there is stiffening by, for example, card or the feel of metal, treat it as suspect.
Weight
A letter usually weighs up to about 28g. An effective letter device weighs between 50 and 100g. If the letter needs more than the usual value of postage stamps for its size and is unusually thick for a letter treat it as suspect.
Inner envelope
If, on opening an envelope, there is an additional inner envelope treat it as suspect.
Excessive wrapping
If it’s tightly taped or tied with string treat it as suspect.
What to do if you receive a suspicious package:
If the sender’s name and address are given they should be asked to confirm the dispatch of the letter or package concerned and to validate its contents. If such information is not available:
- Place the package on the nearest horizontal firm surface. Make no attempt to open it.
- If an approved bomb container is available the suspect item should be placed inside.
- Leave the room, closing the door behind you. If it is possible to open the windows of the room before you leave, do so. Prevent other persons going into the room. Lock the door if possible and give the key to the security officer or to the police.
- Call the security officer and the police.
- Ensure all staff are evacuated from the building, at a distance of at least 40 metres.
On no account should a suspicious package be taken to the police or the security officer. It should also never be placed outside in the street, put in a bucket of water or covered with sand.
What to do if a package or letter has been partly opened or the contents have been removed:
- Order anyone present to leave the room as quickly as possible.
- Place the package, or the contents of the package, as gently as possible on the nearest horizontal firm surface - keeping your face and body shielded. This can be achieved either by placing the suspect item behind a substantial object, such as a steel cupboard, or by leaving the room and using the wall as a barrier - placing the item gently on the floor around the corner of the door.
- Leave the room quickly, closing the door. Prevent other people from entering the room. Lock the door if possible and give the key to the security officer or the police. Notify the security officer and the police.
- Ensure all staff are evacuated from the building, at a distance of at least 40 metres.
Tony Jopson
Business Crime Reduction Manager
Business Crime Direct
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & Industry
0151 224 1859
0-7900 915877
