How to deal with a suspect or dangerous item

Proceed to question 2.

Take care when handling the package.

• Ensure the item has been set down carefully on the nearest flat surface – the floor will do. Do not try to cover it or put it in a bag. Do not bend, squeeze, flex or pinch the item.
• Warn people in the immediate vicinity that a suspect package has been found and that you are in the process of determining if there is any danger.

Proceed to question 2, but take care when handling the package.

Take immediate safety measures.

• Arrange for immediate first aid support.
• Ensure the item has been set down carefully on the nearest flat surface – the floor will do. Do not try to cover it or put it in a bag. Do not bend, squeeze, flex or pinch the item.
• Establish a 20m exclusion zone and restrict movement on the floor to avoid cross-contamination.
• Isolate all those who were working within the 20m exclusion zone (you may have to make arrangements for them to wash their hands).

Call and support the police.

Follow the guidance outlined on the call and support the police page.

Proceed to question 3.

The following are typical characteristics of a postal bomb. Check the suspicious package against this list:

• Dimensions: A letter bomb is unlikely to be less than 3mm (1/8”) thick or to weigh less than 43g (1oz).
• Balance/weight: Is the packet evenly balanced? Lopsided packages should be treated with suspicion. Packages disproportionately heavy for their size could contain an improvised explosive device.
• Holes or stains: Packages with grease stains or pinholes in the wrapping should be treated as suspect.
• Smell: Some explosive materials smell of marzipan or almonds.
• The flap: Is the wrapping completely stuck down? A small gap at the end of the flap may mean a postal bomb.
• Type of envelope: Experience shows letter bombs are usually found in ‘jiffy’ bags or similar. Tubes have been used – sealed heavily at one end.
• Contents: If, in addition to the signs above, the appearance suggests the package could contain a book or video cassette it should be treated as suspicious.

If the item matches any of the characteristics above, note the category along with any distinguishing marks or features.

Proceed to question 3, but take care when handling the package.

Royal Mail Group legitimately carries a wide variety and volume of powder substances, which due to poor packaging may leak but do not cause a risk.

There is no uniform size or shape of package that can be used, hence no generic guidance can be provided. But a package may be thought to be suspicious because you wouldn’t expect to see that type of powder leaking from that type of package.

Make a note of any distinguishing marks or features.

Proceed to question 3, but take care when handling the package.

Royal Mail Group carries many officially marked items. These items carry official-looking symbols denoting chemical, bio-hazardous or dangerous goods contents.

Make a note of any distinguishing marks or features, and proceed to question 3.

• Dangerous goods are defined as ‘any articles or materials capable of posing significant risk to people, health, property, or environment when transported in quantity’.
• The definition includes items such as explosives, corrosive substances, flammable liquids and also includes items commonly used such as aerosols, perfumes, nail varnishes, lithium batteries and paints due to their inherent hazardous properties.
• Customers which post DGs should declare the contents through a triangular label.
  However not all customers will do so, but a goggle search based upon the poster or recipient details will often identify that the contents are likely to be a Dangerous Good.

In some cases, loose powder may be discovered without a package having been seen.

Proceed to question 3.

Continue below to review your answers.

• Packaging/postage: Has lots of wrapping or sealing been used or has excessive postage been paid?
• Markings: Restrictive endorsements, such as ‘personal’ or ‘confidential’ or no return address may indicate a suspicious item.

Continue below to review your answers.

• National or local government figures or officials, politicians, members of the judiciary.
• Famous people or those in the public eye, such as leaders of business or trades unions, scientists and medical researchers.
• Organisations such as the Ministry of Defence, science laboratories, or high-profile companies.
• Buildings connected to national or local government, scientific and medical research, places of worship or the courts.

Continue below to review your answers.

Continue below to review your answers.

• Dangerous goods are defined as ‘any articles or materials capable of posing significant risk to people, health, property, or environment when transported in quantity’.
• The definition includes items such as explosives, corrosive substances, flammable liquids and also includes items commonly used such as aerosols, perfumes, nail varnishes, lithium batteries and paints due to their inherent hazardous properties.
• Customers which post DGs should declare the contents through a triangular label.
  However not all customers will do so, but a goggle search based upon the poster or recipient details will often identify that the contents are likely to be a Dangerous Good.

As far as possible, and without placing yourself at any risk, record the following details:

• Delivery address
• Return to sender address
• Postmark on package
• Postage details

Call CPC and talk them through the incident, and your assessment based upon the questions above. Ask their advice on how to proceed.