Pharmacists recruited to fight terrorism
Pharmacies, and other high street retailers, have been asked to be alert to the possibility that some products they sell could be used by terrorists.
They have been sent leaflets (PDF 70K) produced by the National
Counter Terrorism Security Office asking staff to be on the lookout for
unusual
purchases
of products that have ingredients that could be used in home-made explosives,
such as hydrogen peroxide or acetone.
An NCTSO spokeswoman said that the sale of a large amount of hydrogen
peroxide in March 2005 had raised suspicions in a seller’s mind.
But at that time there had been no one to whom the suspicion could be
reported. Hydrogen peroxide was one of the components of the four bombs
that exploded on underground trains and a bus in London on 7 July 2005.
The leaflets ask retailers to note as much detail as possible — descriptions
of individuals or motor vehicles — to keep any CCTV recordings
and to report any suspicious purchases or inquiries to the anti-terrorist
hotline on 0800 789321. |
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Pharmaceutical Journal
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