This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6338003.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Parcel bomb injures DVLA worker Four treated after DVLA explosion
(about 4 hours later)
Four workers at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) building in Swansea, have been taken to hospital after a parcel bomb exploded. Four people injured after a parcel bomb exploded at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority building in Swansea have been released from hospital.
The incident happened in the post room of the Swansea site shortly after 0920 GMT. The explosion happened in the post room of the city offices shortly after 0920 GMT - one of seven devices received across the UK in the last three weeks.
Seven devices have been received across the UK in the last three weeks, with six people suffering minor injuries. At the DVLA, one woman suffered minor burns and two men and a woman were treated for hearing-related injuries.
The attack in Swansea follows others on motoring-related companies this week in Folkestone, Wokingham and London. One of the victims said she had been "shaken, shocked and frightened".
An army bomb disposal squad escorted by two police cars arrived at the DVLA at 1300 GMT. The attack at the DVLA, which maintains UK-wide registers of drivers and vehicles, follows others on motoring-related companies this week in Folkestone, Wokingham and London.
The Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal team was waved through the police cordon. There is no intelligence to suggest that anyone else is currently at risk and we would appeal for calm Chief Supt Mark Mathias
The bomb disposal unit arrived at 1300 GMT
South Wales Police said a woman had been injured in "a small letter-type explosion" at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which maintains UK-wide registers of drivers and vehicles.
A spokeswoman said: "The scene where the explosion took place has been cordoned off and evacuated.
"Police are speaking to the management team at the DVLA to decide if it's necessary to evacuate the rest of the building."
The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were called at 0921 GMT and arrived five minutes later.The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were called at 0921 GMT and arrived five minutes later.
Morriston NHS Trust said: "A Swansea woman was brought to the A&E department at Morriston hospital shortly after 10am following an incident at the DVLA. People were stopped from entering the building, where 4,000 people work, and the area was cordoned off.
MAIL-BOMB LOCATIONS 1 Forensic Science Service, Chelmsley Wood - 18 Jan 20072 Orchid Cellmark, Abingdon, Oxon - 18 Jan 20073 LGC Forensics, Culham, nr Abingdon - 18 Jan 20074 Private house, Folkestone, Kent - 3 Feb 20075 Capita, London - 5 Feb 20076 Vantis, Wokingham, Berks - 6 Feb 20077 DVLA, Swansea - 7 Feb 2007 An army bomb disposal squad escorted by two police cars arrived at 1300 GMT.
"She is undergoing treatment at the present time and has been assessed by a consultant. Her condition is stable and not life-threatening." One of the victims, who received hospital treatment for injuries including cuts to her hands and body said in a statement: "I was shaken, shocked and frightened. It's hard to describe how I felt.
The ambulance service said two other people had been treated for shock at the scene. "Everybody started running around me and I felt quite calm, but I didn't really know what had happened."
Police are stopping people from entering the building which employs 4,000 personnel, and the area has been cordoned off. South Wales Police called for vigilance over the possibility of further attacks.
One worker, Vivien Hodge, said: "They tried to reassure us that the building is safe, yet they are not letting evening shift come in tonight. 'Reassure us'
Divisional commander, Mark Mathias, said: "There is no intelligence to suggest that anyone else is currently at risk and we would appeal for calm.
"However workers in relevant posts are urged to be vigilant, and to carry out their work with increased caution. "If you have any suspicion about any package, ensure you leave it unopened and unhandled, and contact your local police station or Crimestoppers."
He added: "Our priority today has been the safety of those working in the DVLA offices and also the community as a whole.
"Throughout this incident, the security measures have been continuously assessed and the decision was taken to evacuate all staff from the mail room.
"This room is isolated from the main offices, so there was no need for any further evacuation."
Swansea NHS Trust said all four of the people injured were from the Swansea area.
Police cordoned off the area around the DVLA in Swansea
Another member of staff at the site, Vivien Hodge, said workers had been told to report as normal on Thursday.
She added: "They tried to reassure us that the building is safe, yet they are not letting evening shift come in tonight.
"They are bringing sniffer dogs in and there are a lot of nervous people working there.""They are bringing sniffer dogs in and there are a lot of nervous people working there."
Ms Hodge added workers had been told to report as normal on Thursday. Conservative AM for South Wales West, Alun Cairns, said he was horrified by the attack.
Public and Commercial Services Union's senior officer for Wales Jeff Evans said: "Staff are being told to stay calm, but priority has to be given to their safety now. He said: "We will be setting up meetings with the DVLA, police and staff in order to assess the consequences of this attack and ways of protecting personnel in the workplace."
"The most important thing is to make sure there are no further devices. We now want a proper risk assessment on the position at DVLA offices across the country. Swansea councillor Ray Wellsby said there had been concerns regarding security in the building in the past.
An urgent security review is now required and other government departments need to be vigilant PSU's Jeff Evans
"An urgent security review is now required and other government departments need to be vigilant."
Welsh Conservative AM for South Wales West Alun Cairns said he was shocked and horrified.
"We will be setting up meetings with the DVLA, police and staff in order to assess the consequences of this attack and ways of protecting personnel in the workplace."
Swansea Councillor Ray Wellsby said there had been concerns regarding security in the building in the past.
"Obviously with the redevelopment that's going on inside the building... more people will be coming into the area to do business with the DVLA and therefore we want greater security.""Obviously with the redevelopment that's going on inside the building... more people will be coming into the area to do business with the DVLA and therefore we want greater security."
Home Secretary John Reid said: "Naturally, these incidents are worrying. It is important we allow police to get on with their investigation without undue speculation."
Assistant Chief Constable Anton Setchell, the national coordinator for domestic extremism, is leading the investigation into the apparent letter bombing campaign.Assistant Chief Constable Anton Setchell, the national coordinator for domestic extremism, is leading the investigation into the apparent letter bombing campaign.