Police have recovered more than 400 items during their ongoing investigation into the deadly Novichok nerve agent that poisoned Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley in Amesbury, Wiltshire. The probe intensified after officers discovered a small bottle thought to be the central source of the poisonings.
On Friday, 13 July, investigators announced the discovery of a tiny bottle at a property on Muggleton Road. Authorities believe this bottle is the root cause of the nerve agent contamination that tragically killed Dawn Sturgess and seriously sickened Charlie Rowley. However, the investigation is far from complete.
Searches across Amesbury are expected to continue for weeks, possibly months, as officers look for any other contaminated sites or clues that could help solve this grim case.
Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, National Lead for Counter Terrorism Policing, praised the forensic teams involved in the operation. He said, “It’s not an exaggeration to say this search is one of the most complex and toughest UK policing has ever faced. The work being done is vital—not just to solve this horrific crime, but to protect the public from further harm. All involved risk exposure to a deadly nerve agent. Their bravery is nothing short of remarkable.”
Basu explained that each search requires hours of planning. Teams carefully decide what to collect and how to do so while minimising contamination risks. Officers suit up in protective kits that take 40 minutes to put on, enduring sweltering temperatures above 40°C inside sterile tents. Searches within contaminated sites are limited to 15-30 minutes due to heat exhaustion risks, with specialist ambulance, fire, and rescue units on standby to respond to emergencies.
Since the investigation began, over 400 exhibits have been seized, many believed to be contaminated. These items are sent to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down for thorough testing. A key focus is determining whether the nerve agent originates from the same batch used in the March Salisbury attack that targeted Sergei and Yulia Skripal. This line of inquiry could be crucial in solving the case.
Every recovered item is handled with extreme care to avoid spreading the deadly poison. Officers involved in the search are monitored closely with regular blood tests to detect any signs of exposure. Due to the hazardous conditions, only two search deployments occur each day at the site.
The painstaking search continues as police race against time to bring justice for Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley while ensuring the public remains safe from this invisible killer lurking in Amesbury.
Originally published by UKNIP.
