Three hurt in latest letter-bomb attack

A LETTER bomb exploded at Britain’s vehicle licensing agency yesterday, injuring three women, in a spate of attacks targeting motoring-related groups.

Police chiefs said seven devices had been sent through the post in the last three weeks, including three in the last three days. Six people have been injured.

Yesterday’s blast at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea, Wales, raised media speculation that the bomb campaign had been launched by an angry motorist. One woman was treated for minor burns and two women suffered hearing injuries, police said, adding it was too early to say if there was a link to any other attack.

Attacks on Monday and Tuesday this week also hit offices linked to companies involved in speed cameras and traffic fees.

“I am appealing for companies, organisations and individuals to take extra care when handling mail,” said Assistant Chief Constable Anton Setchell.

Kent police said a 53-year-old man was injured when a letter exploded at his home in Folkestone, England, on Saturday.

Home Secretary John Reid said the explosions were worrying.

“It is important that we allow police to get on with their investigation without undue speculation,” he said.

A letter bomb exploded in Berkshire, England, on Tuesday at the office of Vantis, a business services firm, injuring two men. Newspapers reported the letter was addressed to Speed Check Services, which supplies speed cameras to the police, but was sent instead to its accountants.

On Monday, a woman was injured by a letter bomb at the London headquarters of Capita, the firm managing London’s congestion charge. The company collects 25 million payments a year from motorists who pay to drive into central London.

Safe Speed, a group that opposes the widespread use of speed cameras, condemned the attacks.

The company’s founder Paul Smith said: “While we don’t agree with current road safety policy, that’s no excuse for sending letter bombs. It’s a behaviour we would roundly condemn.”