Fears of a potential Novichok poisoning in Durrington have been dismissed after emergency services confirmed that no nerve agent or hazardous substance was detected.
A significant emergency response was triggered on Friday afternoon (28 March) after reports emerged of a man falling ill after coming into contact with an unknown substance on Charles Road, Durrington. The large-scale operation, reminiscent of the Salisbury Poisonings, caused alarm among residents.
Emergency crews, including Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance, local ambulance teams, and three specialist Hazardous Area Response Team units from Bristol, rushed to the scene. Approximately ten fire appliances, including crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, were also present. Bomb disposal experts and around ten police officers were deployed to assess any potential chemical threat.
Many emergency vehicles were parked at a nearby rendezvous point at Durrington C of E VC Junior School as specialists worked to identify the substance.
No Traces of Nerve Agent Found
However, in a statement released on Saturday morning, Wiltshire Police confirmed that testing at the scene found no trace of a nerve agent or other harmful chemical. As a result, the cordons were lifted in the early hours, and the man did not require hospital treatment after being treated at the scene.
Chief Inspector Graham McLaughlin reassured the public:
“We appreciate the concern this incident has had in the community given the recent history, and please be assured that the report was taken extremely seriously. Testing has been found to be negative, and as a result, the response and cordon have been lifted.”
He also expressed gratitude to the specialized teams that came from outside the county, as well as the Fire and Ambulance services for their prompt assistance. He acknowledged the patience of local residents during the investigation.
Community Relief
The incident, which initially raised fears of another poisoning similar to the infamous Salisbury case, has now been officially declared non-hazardous. Locals expressed relief upon hearing the news, as memories of the previous nerve agent attack in the area resurfaced.
Authorities have thanked the public for their cooperation and assured residents that the situation has been resolved. Further updates will be provided if more information becomes available.
