Police Investigate as Hazardous Chemicals Go Missing From Sheerwater Firm

Surrey Police has launched an investigation after three packages of hazardous chemicals went missing from a company in Sheerwater.

Police are urging members of the public to report any sightings of these packages straightaway and to avoid direct contact with the chemicals.

The packages went missing from Enthone Omi in Forsyth Road sometime between midday on January 24 and 7am on January 25. The company, which supplies chemicals to the metal plating industry, had prepared the packages for dispatch to different companies across the UK but they never reached their destinations. The incident was reported to police and the fire service yesterday afternoon (January 30), and an investigation was immediately launched.

Two of the three packages, which are described as 1 ft X 1 ft X 1 ft in size, contained a small quantity of gold potassium cyanide.

The chemicals are toxic if inhaled, come into contact with the skin or swallowed, and anyone who believes they have come into contact with them should seek urgent medical treatment.

A report by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service also highlighted that if the product comes into contact with an acid it will produce hydrogen cyanide which is very toxic. The product is soluble in water and if becomes damp it will give off a small amount of hydrogen cyanide.

Detective Inspector Andy Haslam said: "We are working very closely with Enthone Omi and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to establish the potential risks and what we are being told is that these chemicals are dangerous if you come into direct contact with them. We are urging people not to touch, inhale or swallow any of these chemicals, If anyone believes they have already done so, I would urge them to seek urgent medical care.

"We are carrying out extensive enquiries to try and trace these chemicals and Enthone has given us its full support in our investigation. I would urge anyone with any information about how these chemicals went missing or their whereabouts to get in touch as a matter of urgency."

Please contact DI Haslam at Surrey Police on 101, quoting crime reference number WK/12/607 or, if you prefer not to leave your name, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.