British police examine a package deal containing uranium seized at Heathrow airport

Heathrow Getty airport picture

The package deal got here from Pakistan and arrived in England on a aircraft that took off from Oman

British police have confirmed that they’ve opened an investigation following the seizure of a package deal containing uranium at London’s Heathrow airport. The discovery occurred on December 29 throughout a routine test carried out by the police of the border companies and customs, in accordance with the police. The British tabloid The Sun, which first reported on the seizure, says the package deal got here from Pakistan and arrived in England on a aircraft that took off from Oman.

The uranium was present in a scrap steel cargo and police are investigating whether or not the discover was the results of “mishandling” in Pakistan, the BBC reported. “I wish to reassure the inhabitants: the quantity of contaminated materials was extraordinarily low and your knowledgeable report concludes that it didn’t current any hazard to the inhabitants,” Police Commander Richard Smith advised the British press. “Although our investigation is ongoing, this package deal doesn’t look like linked to any direct risk primarily based on our newest investigations,” he added.

Uranium is a naturally occurring steel that exists on earth however may be harmful to people if manipulated to create nuclear weapons. The police verify that they haven’t but made any arrests and that they’re working with accomplice intelligence businesses to make sure that there isn’t a danger to the inhabitants. The British police, by means of Smith, have highlighted “the wonderful capability and coordination between the totally different intelligence businesses to watch ports and borders with a view to preserve the inhabitants protected from any potential risk to their safety.”