Police are investigating a number of suspicious letters containing white powder, which have been received at addresses in the county over the past week.
They have included a bank, college, shopping village and hotels in the Braintree, Chelmsford and Stansted areas. Specialist officers attended each incident and the powder was identified as harmless.
A police spokesman said: “None of the recipients have suffered any ill effects but some were upset and anxious by the circumstances. We want to emphasise that all the letters to date have been harmless. However, if anyone receives an envelope that they feel is suspicious, then they should contact police immediately.”
Any item found to contain white powder or other substance they are unsure of, should be left in situ, with doors and windows shut and any fans or air-conditioning switched off. Anyone who has had contact with the white powder should be isolated until police attend and are able to provide reassurance.
Contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information.
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