October 5, 2017 12.55 pm This story is over 77 months old

Police confirm search of Lincoln home linked to mustard gas find

Lincolnshire Police have confirmed that masked officers who raided a Lincoln property overnight had been conducting a search in connection with the discovery of mustard gas canisters near Woodhall Spa. A force spokesperson has said that no noxious substances were found at the home on Longdales Road in the city after neighbours reported the presence…
Photo: The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire Police have confirmed that masked officers who raided a Lincoln property overnight had been conducting a search in connection with the discovery of mustard gas canisters near Woodhall Spa.

A force spokesperson has said that no noxious substances were found at the home on Longdales Road in the city after neighbours reported the presence of masked officers and forensics through the evening of Wednesday, October 4.

Police have also stated that a third person, a man from Woodhall Spa, has been arrested on the morning of Thursday, October 5 in connection with the find on Sunday, October 1 in Roughton Woods.

Alarmed residents watch on as masked police swoop on Lincoln property

Specialist teams will now conduct another search at a property in Woodhall Spa today.

A man and a woman from Lincoln remain in custody at the time of writing. They were arrested by police on suspicion of being in possession of a noxious substance.

Police don’t believe this poses a danger to the public. A spokesperson said: “Our joint enquiry with the military into the items found at Roughton continues, with our primary focus on maximising the safety of the public in the local area.

“There is not thought to be any risk to the public but advice remains not to go to areas where there is an ongoing police presence.”

Two bottle diggers were taken to hospital for treatment of burns and minor respiratory issues on Sunday after they disturbed two gas canisters.

The canisters were taken to Porton Down, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, where the substance was confirmed to be mustard gas.

Police have been working with other emergency services, military and health partners to ensure the safety of the area and to establish if further canisters are present.

The woodland has been cordoned off and today and police are continuing to work with the military to conduct searches and ensure the safety of the area using specialist equipment and vehicles.

Stunned residents say children often play in woodland where mustard gas canisters found