‘Gloves’ caused bomb scare at Aviva’s Yorkshire House office in Rougier Street, York (From York Press)
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‘Gloves’ caused bomb scare at Aviva’s Yorkshire House office in Rougier Street, York
9:40am Friday 11th February 2011 in News
A bomb disposal expert preparing to enter the Aviva building during Wednesday’s alert
THE bomb scare which delayed thousands of York commuters and forced the evacuation of hundreds of workers was caused by a pair of gloves, it has emerged.
A large part of York city centre was brought to a standstill for more than two hours on Wednesday morning after a suspect package was found in the mail room of Aviva’s Yorkshire House office on Rougier Street, at about 7.20am.
The Press has now learned from sources in the emergency services that the package, addressed to a senior executive, contained a pair of gloves with a heating element.
Staff were concerned about the package, and called the emergency services, which led to the deployment of a bomb disposal team.
An Aviva spokesperson declined to comment on what the package contained or to whom it was addressed.
As The Press reported, about 800 Aviva workers were either stopped from going into work or evacuated from the building until the all clear was given at about 9.45am.
No other buildings were evacuated, but occupants were told to stay indoors and displaced Aviva employees were sent to the Guildhall until the all clear was given.
While investigations were carried out, part of York city centre was closed to motorists and pedestrians, many of whom were trying to get to and from the station in the rush hour.
George Hudson Street, Tanner Row, Rougier Street, Lendal Bridge were all shut, and police diverted traffic away from Clifford Street to avoid adding to congestion.
There were large tailbacks on or near the inner ring road, including on Lord Mayor’s Walk, Micklegate, Bootham and Gillygate and police, fire brigade and ambulance teams were at the scene.
Comments(13)
pedalling paul
says...
10:45am Fri 11 Feb 11
Reflective fingers would also be useful to highlight hand signals at night.....
Prob
says...
1:02pm Fri 11 Feb 11
whitehorse
says...
1:15pm Fri 11 Feb 11
Prob wrote:There's a full spectrum of reporting other than straight facts confirmed from a corporate mouth-piece. Rumour and hearsay can still be investigated and the reliability of sources of information assesed. I bet half of Norwich Union could confirm this by the rest of the day. Anyway, where would the red tops be without 'unsubstantiated dribble' and the word 'alleged'.
whitehorse - i, for one, am glad the press doesn't listen to the unsubstanciated dribble that some of it's commentators come out with for news. I'm glad it waits until facts emerge.
Ruby_Fury
says...
1:40pm Fri 11 Feb 11
alfie
says...
2:15pm Fri 11 Feb 11
Thisisnotasmile
says...
2:46pm Fri 11 Feb 11
whitehorse
says...
2:53pm Fri 11 Feb 11
Ruby_Fury wrote:Doh- good point. Just goes to show that, even hiring Bruce Willis and Ringo Starr for an overpriced advertising campaign isn't always effective. However, I will admit to referring to Silks and Toffs still, rather than whatever they're called now!
where have you been whitehorse....the company has been Aviva for nearly a year now.
Pete the Brickie
says...
3:19pm Fri 11 Feb 11
pedalling paul wrote:I've got some Polish Electricians here on site who've said they can make you an electrified bike seat for your chopper out of a 5000 volt capacitor if that would help.
Gloves with heating elements.....can someone please send me a packet of them. Reflective fingers would also be useful to highlight hand signals at night.....
Pete the Brickie
says...
3:29pm Fri 11 Feb 11
alfie wrote:That's not true alfie, we've also had 13000 litres of petrol and a big lorry stolen from Bilborough services this week. These must have been taken by some pretty determined and patient thieves, you usually can't get into those services at all late at night for all the fat blokes in White Volvos and Silver BMW's with orange stripes queuing at Mcdonalds.
Gloves... bomb scare... yep that's York for you nothing exciting ever happens round here.
Wiggles
says...
10:46pm Fri 11 Feb 11
whitehorse wrote:the name changed to Aviva on 1st June 2009 - remember it well we were all given plastic drinking glasses, t-shirts and flip flops to 'celebrate'!
Ruby_Fury wrote: where have you been whitehorse....the company has been Aviva for nearly a year now.Doh- good point. Just goes to show that, even hiring Bruce Willis and Ringo Starr for an overpriced advertising campaign isn't always effective. However, I will admit to referring to Silks and Toffs still, rather than whatever they're called now!
pedalling paul
says...
11:26pm Fri 11 Feb 11
Pete the Brickie wrote:Gee thank Pete. You're a brick!
pedalling paul wrote: Gloves with heating elements.....can someone please send me a packet of them. Reflective fingers would also be useful to highlight hand signals at night.....I've got some Polish Electricians here on site who've said they can make you an electrified bike seat for your chopper out of a 5000 volt capacitor if that would help.
Jim
says...
8:36am Sat 12 Feb 11
pedalling paul wrote:Maplins.
Gloves with heating elements.....can someone please send me a packet of them. Reflective fingers would also be useful to highlight hand signals at night.....
I thought the suspect package was going to be a letter thanking Aviva for prompt settlement of an insurance claim.
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whitehorse says...
10:05am Fri 11 Feb 11