Officers parked vehicle outside Workington station when driver taken ill, then others called bomb squad after they thought it suspicious

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Cumbria police have apologised to a motorist for a mix-up that led to a controlled explosion being carried out on his car outside one of their own stations.



Bomb disposal experts were called out to what police described as a “suspicious incident” after the silver Vauxhall Corsa was discovered unoccupied outside Workington police station in Cumbria in the early hours of Thursday.

Following the controlled explosion, it later emerged that police had parked the vehicle there after the owner had been taken ill elsewhere in the town.

Explaining the blunder, a police spokesman said: “Due to an internal communication error, officers dealing with this morning’s incident were not aware of this and their actions were conducted, and prioritised, with the safety of the public in mind.

“Following the controlled explosion, the vehicle was searched and the suspicions were negated.”

The spokesman added that the officers on overnight duty had become concerned around “suspicious objects” in the vehicle which were at the time unexplained.

As a precaution the station was evacuated and a 100-metre cordon was put in place before a small controlled explosion took place shortly after 8am.

Inspector Ashley Bennett said: “The constabulary is not complacent regarding incidents of public safety which we take very seriously.

“We would like to thank the public for the patience shown this morning as we dealt with an incident that was treated as suspicious and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“We have made contact with the owner of the vehicle, explained the situation and have apologised to him.

“The officers who dealt with this morning’s incident did so with public safety in mind and followed the appropriate procedures in respect to an unoccupied suspicious vehicle.

“The constabulary will review this incident and will take on board any learning.”