Cocooned in their protective suits, police at the scene
WEARING two layers of protection, police officers yesterday gathered evidence at the scene where the Skripals were found collapsed.
The dangers of the nerve agent were laid bare by their dramatic outfits – an inner layer with a gas mask covering their faces combined with an outer green ‘haz-mat’ suit.
The officers were working near the bench, now covered in a forensic tent, where Sergei and Yulia Skripal were discovered critically ill.
The area at the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, Wiltshire, has been sealed off and a major incident declared with only those in the specialist clothing allowed.
But in the minutes after the attack, police were totally unaware of the gravity of the situation. One officer at the scene was pictured crouching Oblivious: Police just after attack down to collect evidence in an everyday patrol uniform.
Close by appears to be a red bag similar to that seen on CCTV being carried by a woman minutes earlier walking towards the bench.