October 5, 2017 1.11 pm This story is over 77 months old

Third person arrested in connection with Woodhall Spa mustard gas find

A third person has been arrested following the discovery of mustard gas canisters in woods near Woodhall Spa. As reported previously, a man and a woman from Lincoln were arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a noxious substance after bottle diggers disturbed the canisters in Roughton Woods on Sunday, October 1. They remain in…

A third person has been arrested following the discovery of mustard gas canisters in woods near Woodhall Spa.

As reported previously, a man and a woman from Lincoln were arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a noxious substance after bottle diggers disturbed the canisters in Roughton Woods on Sunday, October 1.

They remain in custody at the time of writing.

Specialist teams conducted a search of a property on Longdales Road in Lincoln overnight on Wednesday, October 4. They did not find any noxious substances.

Lincolnshire Police have on the morning of October 5 made a third arrest, a man from the Woodhall Spa area.

A search will today be carried out on a property in Woodhall Spa.

Officers are also continuing with sweeps of the wooded area to ensure public safety.

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.”

The 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