Writing a book is easy. Getting
it bought by the public is the hard part. Just when I thought I’d completed the
task of researching, writing, editing and finding a publisher – I was then
faced with the real challenge of getting people to read my work!
To give you an example, “From
Handbags to Hand Grenades” was released in January 2025. Since then, I’ve repeatedly
contacted over 800 media outlets from newspapers to TV – yet so far, all I’ve
managed to do is secure just three interviews in obscure and hard to reach far
corners of the British Isles.
I also have multiple social
media profiles and make bi-monthly contributions to over 440 specially targeted
groups to those who I think would like the book. After combining all the
figures from each group I’m looking at a collective potential audience of roughly
seven million views of my posts every two weeks. Yet, this again was slow on
the uptake and all I seem to attract are hordes of fake marketing agents and
scammers who try and offer me their services. It’s been a bit of a surprise
with how little the overall response has been, and a very steep learning curve.
However, there is something
positive in all of this. Despite the knockbacks, the mistakes I’ve made and the
constant worry of whether I’ll make any money; I can be proud to say I’ve produced
something out of nothing. And that something is now being read by others who
are enjoying my work and leaving a string of five-star reviews across the
board. I found out recently my book is being sold in 86 countries which was a
real boost and has now recently become available in audio format – as well as Paperback
and Kindle.
Promoting and selling is like
a rollercoaster, full of highs and lows and you never know what’s coming around
the corner. If someone had told me before I embarked on this three-year journey
what I was going to be facing, then I may have had second thoughts. But here I
am, and I’m glad that despite the difficulties faced, I’d say to anyone who’s
thinking about doing this to go for it. The feeling of something tangible in
your hand that you’ve created is like nothing in this world - even more so when
you see that others are enjoying it too. It’s quite awesome and something I’d
highly recommend. If this is one of your dreams in life, then you ought to give
it a go.
From Handbags to Hand Grenades
by Mark Robertson is the inspirational true story about former Police Officer
Kathryn West. The book talks about her life, career and dangers met every day
for officers on the thin blue line. From the Tavistock Square bombing to
Grenfell Tower, West’s first-hand experience talks candidly of chilling tales
and memorable moments of life on the beat during her 30 years in the MET.
Paperback and Kindle available on Amazon, with the audio version available to
download from Audible. Click on the links below to order your copy today.
Famous for Stonehenge and the Cathedral, the city was soon to play host of an event that made the World stage.
What started off as two people found unconscious on a park bench, soon became a tale of Attempted Murder, Intrigue and a test of International Domestic Relations.
As events unfolded they were recorded in this blog with the most recent located near the top of the page.
Written by David Walker
Introduction
On Sunday 4th March 2018 former double agent and Russian Spy Sergei Skripal 66 and his daughter Yulia 33 were found unconscious near a children’s play park in a Wiltshire shopping area. As a result of the discovery and subsequent series of events, Police quickly turned this seemingly random situation into a major incident.
The two were treated in ICU at Salisbury District Hospital after they were exposed to an unknown substance but without showing any signs of visible injuries. At the time of the discovery, Public Health England stated based on current evidence there doesn’t appear to be any risk to Public Health.
This blog is a day by day account of events as they unfold in what is undoubtedly turning out to be a tale of attempted murder, intrigue and a test of international diplomatic relations. All starting from Salisbury, a location in quintessential rural England.
Sergei and Yulia Skripal
Friday 18th May 2018
It has just been confirmed that Sergei Skripal has now been released from Salisbury District Hospital and moved to a secure location. It's now nearly eleven weeks since he and his daughter Yulia were found slumped on a park bench in The Maltings area of the town, close to the Bishops Mill pub and Zizzi's restaurant where they both ate and drank.
No further news is currently available.
Tuesday 1st May
Unless there are any further breaking developments, this blog will now be brought to a close. The residents of Salisbury are going about their everyday lives, the cleanup of the infected areas is well underway and all the news teams have gone. The only two outstanding issues that still remain are shops are still struggling by the Maltings area due to lack of footfall, and Sergei Skripal is still believed to be in hospital. No word on his current health has been made, or even if he is still actually within the hospital complex. It's all gone very quiet!
Please feel free to share this blog or use it for reference if you wish. I've tried to keep it as simple yet accurate as possible as this has been a real piece of history in the making. The whole incident took place just 1 mile from my home; people from outside of the area joke and say "Have we had a wash?" Or even, "Have we been sprayed clean?" But the truth is that for 99.9% of the population of this city nothing happened. No-one fell ill, no-one became contaminated and thankfully, no-one has died. However, from here on Salisbury will now become famous for three things. Stonehenge, the Cathedral and... Novichock!
Monday 23rd April
The cleanup begins...
Friday 20th April
Additional barriers are being put into place at 9 key locations around the town where the Nerve Agent Novichock is said to be, prior to the clean up. However, note that although the barriers are at the entrance to such locations, with the exception of Zizzi's restaurant, in these photos, all other areas are still exposed for anyone to see.
Maltings Shopping Area
Just to the right of the above picture. This is the area where the park bench was located where Yulia and Sergei Skripal were found.
On the opposite side.
Zizzi's Restaurant.
The latest BBC news article on the cleanup can be seen here.
Thursday 19th April
A meeting will be held this evening for the people of the town at Salisbury's City Hall arts venue. It's expected that the council will be outlying plans on how best to move forward with bringing much needed income back into the town, now that a more detailed "clean up" process is soon about to begin. More details on this later.
Tuesday 27th March
The UK Government has released a Press statement saying that up to £2.5 Million Pounds will be released to the City of Salisbury to help its residents and shop keepers get through this difficult time. The full statement can be read here.
Thursday 12th March
The Organisation for the Prohibitions of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have confirmed they agree with the UK's findings about the chemical agent used against Yulia and Sergei Skripal. But they have not gone as far as to identify it as Novichock. Russia are still denying that they had anything to do with the attack against the Skripals but Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said, "There can be no doubt what was used". In addition, he stated "There remains no alternative explanation about who was responsible. Only Russia has the means, motive and record".
Wednesday 11th March
In a statement issued through the Police, Yulia Skripal has rejected any help from the Russian Embassy "at the moment". She says that she is currently not strong enough to give a full media interview and that "no-one should speak for her or her father". However, Russia is casting doubt that the statement really does belong to Yulia and said that it raises new questions.
Yulia also went on to say that she has found herself in "a totally different life than the ordinary one I left just over a month ago". Adding, "I have specially trained officers available to me, who are helping to take care of me and to explain the investigative processes that are being undertaken. I have access to friends and family, and I have been made aware of my specific contacts at the Russian Embassy who have kindly offered me their assistance in any way that they can. At the moment I do not wish to avail myself of their services, but if I change my mind I know how to contact them".
The Russian Embassy replied to this statement by saying that this "Only strengthens that we are dealing with a forcible isolation of a Russian citizen" and have called on the UK authorities to "Urgently provide tangible evidence that Ms Skripal was not deprived of her freedom".
Russia are still denying that they had any dealings with the poisoning of Yulia and Sergei Skripal which took place in Salisbury around five weeks ago, and have accused the British of inventing a "fake story".
Over twenty countries are in the process of expelling Russian envoys in one of the biggest cases of joint solidarity with the UK since World War Two. Independent tests on the nerve agent that was used on the Skripal's have been conducted by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). A copy of their findings is due to be published tomorrow.
Viktoria Skripal. Credit: Sky News
In the meantime, while Yulia and her father were being treated in hospital, Yulia's cousin Viktoria Skripal who lives in Russia, gave interviews to various international news agencies. In these interviews, Viktoria claimed that Yulia was planning to ask for Political Asylum - although she didn't know in which country. This however seems to be in contrast to Yulia as she stated, "I thank my cousin for her concern for us, but Viktoria's opinions and assertions are not mine and they are not my father's". Adding, I ask that she does not visit me or try to contact me for the time being".
Monday 9th March
5 weeks after being discovered on a park bench in the Maltings area of Salisbury, Yulia Skripal left hospital and was taken to a secure location.
Friday 6th March
The main man at the centre of this international story, Sergei Skripal has also woken up. He is now off the critically ill list and is said to be responding well to treatment. More to follow...
Thursday 5th March
Yulia Skripal has now started to show signs of improvement and as such has prepared a statement which was issued by the metropolitan Police. You can read what she has to say here.
Thursday 22nd
As Theresa May arrived for a summit in Brussels it is deemed that she will tell her European counterparts that Russia "Does not respect borders". Despite claims many member states say that they are behind Britain and will support the UK (regardless of many months of testy Brexit negotiations); it would seem that nearly all have not yet put any sanctions of their own into place against Russia.
Having said this, it would seem that the door is open to Russia if they want to engage in diplomatic talks, as at least a war of words is a far better option that a war of action. The best comment of the day came earlier this morning from the UK Culture Secretary Matt Hancock who said on Breakfast television, "The best response to the Salisbury attack would be for England to go to the World Cup in Russia... and win it"! A sentiment which was echoed in a radio broadcast which I gave earlier today on Talk Sport Radio.
Monday 19th March
A team of international specialists arrived at Porton Down today to remove a sample of the suspected nerve agent Novochock. This is so that they can perform independent unbiased tests of their own whereby the results will be made public for the whole world to see. Meanwhile, as the investigation continues, the Army today removed Yulia Skripal's car for a more detailed examination.
As a side note - in Russia, Vladimir Putin today won a General Election granting him 6 more years in office. Some people believe that the recent events in Salisbury were done deliberately prior to the election so as to increase an "Anti Western" feeling and therefore give strength and backing to ensure Mr Putin wins.
Vladimir Putin.
Sunday 18th March
Russia's EU Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov hinted on the "Andrew Marr" TV program that maybe the nerve agent identified by the UK Government's defence research agency at Porton Down, could have actually originated from the same establishment.
A full outline of the story can be seen on the BBC news web pages here.
Saturday 17th March
Russia has announced that it is going to expel 23 UK Diplomats and that they too have just one week to leave the country.
Friday 16th March
It was announced that the Police have launched a murder probe into death of Russian Nikolai Glushkov in London. The Metropolitan Police said a post-mortem examination found the cause of the 68-year-old's death was compression to the neck. Possibly by hanging.
Mr Glushkov received political asylum in Britain after being jailed in Russia for money laundering and fraud He was found dead at his home in New Malden, southwest London on Monday. Scotland Yard said its Counter-Terrorism Command is leading the investigation "because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had" but they were quick to add, there is "nothing to suggest any link to the attempted murders in Salisbury, nor any evidence that Mr Glushkov was poisoned".
Earlier, Russia's Investigative Committee, which reports directly to President Vladimir Putin, announced it had opened a murder investigation into Mr Glushkov's death. With reference to the Salisbury case, the committee said in the same statement that it will probe the "attempted premeditated murder" of Yulia Skripal, adding it was ready to co-operate with the British authorities.
One of Mr Glushkov's friends was late Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky, who fled to London in 2000 following a row with Vladimir Putin. The Russian embassy said it had sought Mr Glushkov's extradition in 2015 "for committing a number of severe financial offences on the territory of Russia", but the British Government refused.
After Mr Berezovsky was found hanged in the bathroom of his Berkshire home in March 2013, Mr Glushkov told The Guardian he would "never believe" his friend took his own life, but an inquest into Mr Berezovsky's death recorded an open verdict.
Mr Berezovsky was also a friend of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned with radioactive Polonium-210 in London in 2006. Police and the security services are expected to examine allegations that a series of deaths on UK soil, including the Berezovsky case, may be linked to Russia.
Nikolai Glushkov
Thursday 15th March
US President Donald Trump has given his support to Theresa May and the UK Government in their stance against Russia. The White House says it "stands in solidarity" with "its closest ally" the UK and supports its decision to expel 23 Russian diplomats.
In the statement, Mr Trump's press secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders said the US wanted to ensure "this kind of abhorrent attack does not happen again", describing the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Britain as "a just response".
Former NATO chief, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the attack was part of a "wider strategy" by Russia against Europe. He said it was time to "fight back" with prolonged sanctions and measures to target individuals close to President Putin, adding "anything short of full solidarity with the UK will be considered a victory by the Kremlin".
The White House
Meanwhile, Theresa May visited Salisbury today to see for herself what was going on. At the same time, shop keepers in the Maltings area were making complaints that they are losing business due to the significant amount of reduced footfall in the area. They have been reassured by the council that some kind of rescue plan is underway for them and that a meeting will be held tonight.
Prime Minister Theresa May looking under pressure from the previous few days events.
Credit: Graham Wallen
The Prime Minister was briefed by Public health experts as Sergei and Yulia Skripol remain critically ill in hospital. The US, Germany and France in conjunction with the UK have now all said in a joint statement that Russian involvement was "the only plausible explanation". However, Russia continues to deny any involvement and has vowed a "swift response" to the expulsion of it's Diplomats.
Gold bullion
In other news, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson revealed today that the Government will invest £48M in a new chemical warfare defence centre. This will be at Porton Down which is the same establishment that discovered what substance was used on the Skripal's.
Wednesday 14th March
The deadline for Moscow to respond to the British Government's request has now passed. Russia claims to deny any involvement and state they will not give a response until they have seen a sample of the nerve agent used. Meanwhile, in New Malden, South West London, Counter-Terrorism Police are investigating the death of a Russian Businessman who was a close friend of Putin critic Boris Berezovsky. At present, the Police are stating that they are not connecting this incident with that of the ongoing investigation in Salisbury.
Boris Berezovsky
The Prime Minister Theresa May said this morning that she would announce a series of measures against Russia later today after Prime Minister's questions. Moscow stated that it would be willing to co-operate with the UK if a formal request for clarification was made under the Chemical Weapons Convention. This normally allows a standard of a ten day response to any request, rather than just the 24 hours which has been given here. Russia also stated that it had no motive to carry out such an attack and that any steps taken by the Prime Minister would lead to "retaliatory measures".
During this time, the UK called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council and also briefed NATO's North Atlantic Council. Nato's allies have expressed their deep concern at the use of a nerve agent in this way.
By 1pm, news was breaking that Theresa May has ordered out of Britain a total of 23 Diplomats, citing that they have one week to pack up and leave the UK. These are identified as "Undeclared Intelligence Officers". This is the largest mass expulsion since 31 Diplomats were ordered out in 1985 after double agent Oleg Gordievsky defected.
In addition to the ordering out of the 23 Diplomats, Theresa May wanted to send a clear message to Russia and imposed additional sanctions. They include...
- Increasing checks on private flights, customs and freight.
- Freezing Russian state assets where there is evidence they may be used to threaten the life or property of UK nationals or residents.
- Ministers and the Royal Family boycotting the Fifa World Cup in Russia later this year.
- Suspending all planned high-level bilateral contacts between the UK and Russia.
- Plans to consider new laws to increase defences against "hostile state activity".
Mrs May told MP's that Russia had provided "no explanation" as to how the nerve agent came to be used in the UK, describing Moscow's response as one of "sarcasm, contempt and defiance". Adding, "The use of a Russian-made nerve agent on UK soil amounted to the unlawful use of force, she said".
Russia's response via its Embassy to the comments made by Theresa May said, "The expulsion of 23 Diplomats was unacceptable, unjustified and short sighted".
Credit: Somerset Live
Meanwhile, Police have cordoned off a stretch of Hyde Road, in Gillingham, Dorset, and Army personnel and vehicles were pictured entering the cordon on social media. According to a Metropolitan Police Spokesman, "The military is assisting police to remove a number of vehicles and items from areas of Dorset, following the incident in Salisbury. The public should not be alarmed and the public health advice remains the same. The military has the expertise and capability to respond to a range of contingencies. The Ministry of Defence regularly assists the emergency services and local authorities in the UK. Military assistance will continue as necessary during this investigation".
Credit: Sky News
Tuesday 13th March
By 6pm there was no public word that Britain had as of yet heard anything from the Russian Ambassador, leaving just six short hours until the end of the deadline. Earlier today, outside of New Scotland Yard in London, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said 35 other people have now been seen in hospital. 34 of which had been assessed and discharged, while the condition of one person is being monitored as an outpatient.
Assistant Commissioner Basu also revealed Miss Skripal had flown into Heathrow Airport on 3 March. He appealed for witnesses who saw the pair in her father's car - licence plate number HD09 WAO - between 13:00 and 13.45 GMT on the day of the poisoning. The car was left in Sainsbury's upper level car park in the Maltings shopping area before the Skripals went to the Bishops Mill Pub and then the restaurant Zizzi.
Credit: Ben Whitlock
By 7pm the BBC provided an update with a response from Russia. Click on the link here to see what has been said.
Monday 12th March
From a Media point of view, all but a handful of journalists have now moved on from Salisbury. Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a meeting with the Security Council and heard the latest intelligence on the nerve agent attack. The meeting brought together senior ministers, as well as intelligence and military chiefs, where they considered whether there was enough evidence of who is behind the attack, and to take action if it is the right time to do so. Later that day, the Prime Minister said in the House of Commons that "It was clear that Mr Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with a Military grade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia". This is a part of a group of nerve agents known as Novichock. She continued, coupled with other evidence, "The Government has concluded that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the act against Sergei and Yulia Skripal". This brings forward two possible options. Either it was a deliberate targeted attack by Russia on British soil, or somehow Russia lost it's stock and it fell into the hands of others.
Prime Minister Theresa May
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson therefore summoned the Russian Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and asked him to explain which of the two possibilities it is, as well as give an account as to how the nerve agent made its way to Salisbury and ultimately with Sergei Skripal and his daughter. A deadline of Tuesday at midnight has been given.
In the meantime, Police are still actively working on the case and by Monday evening became very interested in both a white van in the town of Winterslow less than ten miles from Salisbury town centre. As well as the multi storey car par in the centre of Salisbury. The reason behind both of these areas of interest currently remains a mystery.
At the end of her speech, Theresa May stated, "Should there be no credible response, we will conclude that this action amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the United Kingdom". If this doesn't happen, then Mrs May will outline the UK's next actions on Wednesday.
Sunday 11th March
Some facts and figures are starting to come to light. A total of 21 people were taken to hospital to receive medical treatment. 180 soldiers have now been deployed to help with the clean up. 250 Police are working on the case looking at 200 pieces of evidence and talking to over 500 witnesses. Although Prof Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer for England said the risk of harm to fellow diners was "low", people who were in the area at the time are being advised to wash all of their possessions. A formal Government statement can be read here.
The advice to wash possessions applies to anyone in either venue between 13:30 GMT on Sunday 4 March to closing time on Monday.
- Clothes should be washed, ideally in a washing machine.
- Clothes which cannot be washed, for example if they need dry cleaning, should be double bagged in plastic until further notice.
- Mobile phones, handbags and other electronic items should be wiped with baby wipes, which should be bagged in plastic and put in the bin.
- Other items such as jewellery and glasses should be washed with warm water and detergent.
- Hands should be washed after the handling of any items suspected of being contaminated.
Meanwhile, Police have turned their attention to the cemetery where Sergei Skripal's wife and son are buried. A large tent has been erected above their graves and it is believed that they are looking for traces of nerve agent. However, they have confirmed that as of this time, no bodies will be exhumed.
A group of Journalists just opposite Zizzi's Restaurant.
Saturday 10th March Military personnel continue the big sweep today by collecting an ambulance which was first on the scene at The Maltings. The road leading to Sergei's house was now closed off by Police allowing access to direct residents only and no-one else, and it is discovered that traces of Nerve Agent are found at the Zizzi's restaurant. Home secretary Amber Rudd gives another press interview, in it she states the following phrase... "Over 250 Counter Terrorism Police from 8 out of our 11 Counter Terrorism Units involved". As a journalist and blogger I have to wonder are there really over 250 dedicated individuals specifically working solely on this case and no other? We know that all resources are at their disposal; but when our services are already being stretched to beyond breaking point, how come the resources are available now and not at any other time? For me, the figures don't add up and I'd be happy to ask Amber Rudd if this is the case. You can watch the interview here.
Friday 9th March Home Secretary Amber Rudd visits the scene and talks to BBC news in an interview about the event, whereby she praises the work of the Police and other emergency services in Salisbury. Meanwhile, it is discovered that DS Nick Bailey didn't become exposed to the Nerve Agent on the site of location in the Maltings area as originally thought, but instead he contracted the substance at Sergei Skripal's house. This could throw a whole new light into how and where the Nerve Agent originated from, as it is found that Sergei's daughter Yulia arrived from Moscow to visit her father only the day beforehand.
Credit: BBC
Later that day, a task force of 180 soldiers who are specially trained in the use of handling chemical agents were drafted into the town to start a massive "clear up" of all substances known to be in the area. They started off at the district hospital removing a Police car onto the back of a lorry as it was believed this car had been the first on the scene, which then went over to the hospital.
Credit: Daily Mail
By nightfall, additional barriers were erected in front of Zizzi's restaurant to prevent anyone looking into the building. Whilst a Police presence is still guarding the front of the Bishops Mill pub, little is known regarding any further developments in this area.
Thursday 8th March
Home Secretary Amber Rudd has spoken to say that the policeman who was first on the scene to assist Sergei and Yulia still remains in a serious condition in ICU. However, he is now talking and engaging with others which is hopeful. She also stated in an interview with BBC Breakfast news that there "Is no cause for the public to panic."
Meanwhile Police are appealing for anyone who was in Salisbury on Sunday afternoon, in particular those who attended either Zizzi's restaurant or The Bishops's Mill Pub to come forward with any information they may have. A CCTV image taken just 30 minutes before the pair were found unconscious is of interest to Police as this shows Sergei with a blond haired woman carrying a large red bag, whereas his daughter has dark hair as you can see at the top of this blog.
By late afternoon the Policeman in hospital was named as Detective Sargent Nick Bailey. Wiltshire Police's temporary Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said it was too early to tell if Mr Bailey, one of the force's several officers who fell ill, would make a full recovery. He paid tribute to the "Well loved, well liked and massively dedicated officer", who had been commended in 2016 for work which led to a serial rapist being jailed. Mr Bailey is among 21 people who received medical treatment following exposure to the nerve agent.
Credit: Salisbury Journal / Getty Images
Wednesday 7th March
On Wednesday morning the Police turned their attention to Solstice Park, a nearby industrial area approximately ten miles out of town. Although at this stage no further information has been revealed. Later in the morning, the Government's Home Secretary Amber Rudd, announced that after a COBRA meeting they had further information on the type of poison used. Details would be issued in a press statement later that day. While the worlds press waited for updates, things took a slightly different turn of events when Fire and Ambulance crews were called to Sarum House, a property adjacent to Zizi’s. Here, a woman was seen boarding the ambulance by her own free will, although she was assisted by a Police Officer and a Paramedic. The Police refused to comment as to whether this was connected to the ongoing chain of events.
Credit: Simon Ward Photography
Meanwhile, just after 5.30pm Assistant Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing gave the following statement.
“Having established that a nerve agent is the cause of the symptoms leading us to treat this as attempted murder, I can also confirm that we believe that the two people who became unwell were targeted specifically.” He also added “A Police Officer who was first to attend the scene is now in a serious condition in hospital, but that there was no evidence of a widespread health risk to the public.”
At the same time the countries Chief Medical Officer Sally Davies changed the initial format given by Public Health England from saying there doesn't appear to be of any risk - to - there is a "low risk" of health to the people. Based on the evidence they have. A small, but nonetheless change of fact. Police also closed off The Bishops Mill public house as part of their investigations. No further details about these two establishments, or other locations of interest around the town - including Sergei Skripal’s home property - are currently being given. Later that evening, investigators wearing chemical suits turned their attention to an Ambulance station near to Salisbury District Hospital. It is likely that vehicles involved in this incident are based at this station.
An Ambulance enters into Salisbury District Hospital
Tuesday 6th March
Acting Chief Constable Kier Pritchard for Wiltshire Police stated in a press conference on Tuesday that “All measures were being taken with Public Health England and the NHS as well as local authorities in Swindon.”
Kier Pritchard
Because this is a fast-paced series of events, the London MET Police Counter Terrorism Network will now be leading the investigation but have stressed that this is not a terrorist incident and that they are keeping open mind.
Angus McPherson
The Police and Crime commissioner for Wiltshire Angus McPherson stated that “All measures necessary were being taken to protect the public.” This was reiterated by Kier Pritchard who commented “It is vital to continue an increased Police presence to reassure communities.”
Wiltshire Police Headquarters at Devizes
Late into the night on Tuesday, various Police cordons were extended although this was not known why as a few hours later they were reduced. Zizzi’s restaurant however had its cordon remain in place.
Monday 5th March
There are reports of several people have attended Salisbury District Hospital, each displaying symptoms of some form of poisoning. Police and Fire Brigade are called and a major Incident is declared. By Monday night, a nearby pizza restaurant on Castle Street was closed by Police on safety grounds pending further enquiries.
A Police Officer stands on guard outside Zizzi's
About me
Salisbury based David Walker spent over thirty years working as a technician with the Theatre, Film and TV Industry before deciding to change career and move into journalism. He studied with the BCJ and received his Diploma in 2016. Now he works freelance covering online, print and radio broadcast. His specialist subjects are Motorsport, Travel and The Arts, although he is never afraid to try anything new and relishes a challenge wherever possible. To contact David please email davidwalkerfj@gmail.com Click here for David's LinkedIn Profile A summary of all the accounts by the BBC can be seen here
