Wrexham Maelor Hospital lockdown after 'suspicious package' hoax call - police statement
A LOCKDOWN at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in Wales has now been lifted after police confirmed the reported "suspicious package" had resulted from a "hoax call".
Police had earlier rushed to the hospital, with the entrance to the car park reportedly closed off and some reports claiming the building had been put on "lockdown". Road closures were also put in place near the hospital, sparking fears of a potentially serious incident. Earlier, unconfirmed reports said the incident was due to a bomb threat at the site, although there was no confirmation at the time.
But Betsi Cadwaladr, which provides health services in North Wales, confirmed the incident was due to reports of a suspicious incident.
The health board tweeted it had worked with North Wales Police to carry out a search of the site and access to the hospital was now open again.
Betsi Cadwaladr wrote: "A search of the #Wrexham Maelor was carried out following reports of a suspicious package.
"We have worked with @NWPolice to carry out a search, which has now been completed.
"Access to the hospital is no longer restricted and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."
North Wales Police Chief Inspector Mark Williams said it appeared a "hoax call" had been made to the hospital.
He said: "I would like to thank staff, patients and the public for their cooperation and patience following what appears to have been a hoax call to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
"Our priority throughout this afternoon’s incident was to ensure people were kept safe."
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Earlier this afternoon, Betsi Cadwaladr had tweeted: "Due to an incident in #Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor is managed by @HeddluGogCymru, we are asking people not to attend their appointments as planned today (22 April 2021) and also to avoid the site.
"We would like to apologize for any inconvenience and will provide an update."
"The health board followed this up with the tweet: We are working with @NWPolice following a security alert at the WMH site.
"The hospital has not been evacuated, but the movement of people to and from the site is being restricted while the investigation continues.
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"We would like to remind people not to attend the hospital."
Wrexham Town Inspector Luke Hughes had said at the start of the hospital lockdown there was no immediate danger to the public.
He said: "Just a note to advise that officers are currently in attendance at Wrexham Hospital dealing with an 'ongoing incident'.
"I would suggest at this time that there is no immediate risk to the public.
“Officers will support the hospital staff and provide reassurance until the incident is concluded.
“I would urge all members of the public to avoid the area to prevent congestion and allow officers to resolve the incident as promptly as possible.”
Wrexham MP had earlier urged people to avoid the area.
������Due to an ongoing incident at #Wrexham Maelor Hospital that is being managed by @NWPolice, we are asking people not to attend their planned appointments (22 April 2021) and to avoid the site. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and will provide another update soon. pic.twitter.com/jZMBguVhLU
— Betsi Cadwaladr (@BetsiCadwaladr) April 22, 2021
She tweeted: "Please avoid the Wrexham Maelor site if possible."
Councillor Gareth Baines had also tweeted: "Wrexham Maelor Hospital is reportedly on 'lockdown' due to an ongoing incident at the site.
"Please avoid the area if possible."
Additional reporting by Steven Brown.