Bomb Threats & Suspicious Packages

Suspicious packages/bombs are not often sent to a home or business address. Buildings with large mailrooms and those who have large quantities of mail coming in should know what to look out for. When opening mail these are some of the things to look out for:

• Strange odours or stains, crystals, powder or powder-like residue or discolouration
• Items with things like ‘Confidential’ on
• Unusual sizes or weights
• No name on the package
• Misspelling of simple words
• Excessive or severe lack of proper wrapping
• A large amount of postage
• No return address or postage that doesn’t match the return address
• Open packages

Do not touch the package any more than you already have and do not move it. Notify your manager and explain why you think it is suspicious. Shut all windows and doors in the room of the package and leave the room but do not come into contact with other people until you have been checked over. Turn off any ventilation systems.

Bomb threats can happen face to face and in the mail but are also quite common over the phone. If you receive a bomb threat over the phone you should write down all of the information they give you no matter how small or irrelevant it may seem. Try to remain calm on the phone and if practical you should keep the caller talking to get as much information as possible and get someone else to call the police while you are on the phone. Note the phone number if possible and if you get the threat via text then do not reply, forward, or delete it. After all of this, report it to the relevant person if at work or call the police if at home.