Scotland Yard urges vigilance over anthrax attacks

The British public should be on their guard against a possible anthrax threat, Scotland Yard said today.

As panic about the disease spread worldwide, a police spokeswoman urged people to be ‘‘vigilant’’.

‘‘If people are suspicious of anything they have received in the mail or by hand they should contact police.

‘‘The police will advise and them. We have asked people to be vigilant.’’

The British Home Office said there was no intelligence of a ‘‘specific threat’’ to Britain of a biological or chemical attack.

A spokeswoman said: ‘‘We are doing everything that can be done to protect high profile targets and essential services. Contingency plans are in place.’’

Yesterday the British Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, said that preparations had been under way in the last fortnight to help counter the disease.

The British government has secured the ‘‘necessary stores’’ of antibiotics and other equipment and had pinpointed the need for detailed ‘‘scenario planning’’ in collaboration with the US.

The measures are in addition to government guidance issued 18 months ago on how to counter any possible threat from biological or chemical agents.