More news about those explosions many VB readers commented on last week. This in from the Police, in their own words. Ed
Police are renewing an appeal for witnesses as an investigation continues into reports of small explosions on the Isle of Wight.
Officers are making enquiries into four reports of explosions in different parts of Newport on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 16, 2011.
At approximately 4.40pm, a woman in Manor Crescent heard the sound of loud bangs nearby and an object colliding with her garage doors. Two young white men were seen walking in the area. One of them was carrying a bag.
“Baby frightened and upset”
Shortly after 5pm, a woman in Barton Road heard the sound of loud bangs in her neighbourhood. She saw a young white man throw an object into her front garden before it exploded and covered the garden in smoke. A baby inside a house nearby was reported to be frightened and upset by what happened.
At 5.11pm, police were called to Newport Bus Station in South Street by members of the public who reported an explosion inside a litter bin. An ambulance was called but later cancelled as a young woman, who was stood near the litter bin at the time of the explosion, did not have any visible injuries.
Loud bang outside McDonald’s
At approximately 5.15pm, members of the public reported hearing a loud bang outside McDonald’s restaurant in St. James’ Street in Newport.
Investigating officer PC Arran Robertson of the Isle of Wight’s Targeted Patrol Teams (TPT) said: “I would like to thank all those members of the public who reported their concerns to police swiftly last Wednesday. Patrols identified several possible suspects who were stopped and searched nearby. Officers from the Newport Safer Neighbourhoods team have made reassurance visits to some of the residents affected. Thankfully there were no reports of injuries. We’re continuing to check CCTV footage, and I remain keen to hear from any other witnesses who saw what happened or who remember seeing anyone acting suspiciously around Newport town centre, Barton Road and Manor Crescent between 4.30pm and 5.30pm last Wednesday (March 16).”
Get in touch
Please contact PC Arran Robertson at Newport Police Station by phoning 101 or emailing through the website
From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call police on 0845 045 45 45.
Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000.
Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Image: al.star under CC BY-SA 2.0
