Hunt for Boxing Day bomber who blew up FIVE post boxes and phone booth – as police tell public who see ‘explosive devices’ to call 999 . . . from at least 160ft away
- Residents have been warned to dial 999 if they see suspicious devices
- The vandal targeted five post boxes and phone booth with explosive devices
- Incidents occurred in various areas of Chichester, West Sussex, on Boxing Day
- Police said they believe devices planted to cause damage, but could cause injuries
A vandal who damaged five post boxes and telephone kiosk with suspected explosive devices on Boxing Day is being hunted by police.
Residents in the Chichester area, West Sussex, where explosions occurred, have been warned to stand at least 160ft away if they spot other suspicious devices, and dial 999.
Sussex Police said while they believe the devices were planted to cause damage, they could potentially to injure people.
Five post boxes and a telephone kiosk were damaged by suspected explosive devices in the Chichester area, in West Sussex
Detective Inspector Alan Pack of Sussex Police said: ‘We believe something has been placed at the locations that has caused a small explosion resulting in the damage.
‘It’s important to stress that we believe these criminal acts were intended to cause damage and nobody has been hurt, but there is significant potential to cause injury and we have dedicated officers to the investigation as a matter of urgency.
‘Our crime scene investigators will be at the locations carrying out thorough examinations and officers will be carrying out house to house enquiries in the area.
One of the postboxes in East Dean, West Sussex, which was targeted in a spree of explosions on Boxing Day
‘We are very keen to speak to anyone who saw any suspicious vehicles or people near to post boxes or telephone kiosks, and also owners of dash cams who may have footage that cover the locations during the relevant times.
‘If you see anything suspicious at other post boxes, as a precaution, stay at least 50 metres away from the location and call us on 999.’
The six areas targeted were in Bosham, Lavant, Charlton, East Dean and Oving, in Chichester, West Sussex, between 10pm and 12 midnight.