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Sellafield partly closed after 'above normal' radiation Sellafield partly closed after 'above normal' radiation
(35 minutes later)
The Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria is partially closed after "elevated levels of radioactivity" were detected.The Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria is partially closed after "elevated levels of radioactivity" were detected.
A perimeter alarm has been triggered at the north of the site and each building is being checked, a spokesman said.A perimeter alarm has been triggered at the north of the site and each building is being checked, a spokesman said.
No evidence of radioactive release or accident had been found but "there can be no guessing on nuclear sites", he added.No evidence of radioactive release or accident had been found but "there can be no guessing on nuclear sites", he added.
The company stressed there was no risk to the public or workforce.The company stressed there was no risk to the public or workforce.
Director of stakeholder relations Rory O'Neill said: "One of the 20-odd site perimeter monitors that we have is registering above normal levels of radiation.Director of stakeholder relations Rory O'Neill said: "One of the 20-odd site perimeter monitors that we have is registering above normal levels of radiation.
"It's not a level that would trigger any kind of activity on or off site. It's below levels that would demand us to do sheltering or anything like that.""It's not a level that would trigger any kind of activity on or off site. It's below levels that would demand us to do sheltering or anything like that."
'Relevant experts''Relevant experts'
The Department of Energy and Climate Change said: "We are in constant contact with Sellafield but we have no reason to believe that it is any more serious than they've said."The Department of Energy and Climate Change said: "We are in constant contact with Sellafield but we have no reason to believe that it is any more serious than they've said."
Part of the plant is being cleared to allow detailed investigations and the "relevant experts" are on site, a Sellafield spokesman said.Part of the plant is being cleared to allow detailed investigations and the "relevant experts" are on site, a Sellafield spokesman said.
That the alarm had detected naturally occurring levels of radiation could not be ruled out, he added.That the alarm had detected naturally occurring levels of radiation could not be ruled out, he added.
David Moore, chairman of the West Cumbria Cumbria Stakeholders' Group, an independent watchdog funded by Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, said the company's actions did not imply "anything has gone wrong on the site".David Moore, chairman of the West Cumbria Cumbria Stakeholders' Group, an independent watchdog funded by Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, said the company's actions did not imply "anything has gone wrong on the site".
"They've never been scared to raise the levels for safety," he said. "I think they've taken the right decision here.""They've never been scared to raise the levels for safety," he said. "I think they've taken the right decision here."
Day personnel, agency staff and contractors have been told to stay at home.Day personnel, agency staff and contractors have been told to stay at home.
Other workers, including transport and utilities personnel, are working as normal "in support of plant continuity requirements".Other workers, including transport and utilities personnel, are working as normal "in support of plant continuity requirements".
Paddy Regan, professor of nuclear physics at the University of Surrey, said removing staff from site in such circumstances was "standard protocol" and a "sensible precaution" although rare.