Lethal gas fear after cyanide theft (From Stroud News and Journal)

Lethal gas fear after cyanide theft

CYANIDE and other deadly chemicals stolen from a parked car on Sunday have prompted fears for public safety.

The batch of acids which also include ammonia, silver nitrate and caustic soda were stored in glass bottles and taken from an industrial chemist's silver Ford Mondeo, outside the Kings Head Inn in Painswick Road, Upton St Leonards between 6.10pm and 7.10pm.

police fear the thief may discard the lethal cocktail and have urged people not to go near them

"Cyanide really shouldn't have been left unattended, Professor Colin Greaves, a chemist at Birmingham University told the SNJ.

"If there was acid and a cyanide those are incompatible chemicals and should be segregated. If they mix you have got real problems. It creates a deadly gas.

"The real problem is if the cyanide is ingested or if it's mixed with acids. That then gives off a gas which is extremely deadly. If you're in a room with it there could be deadly consequences."

Professor Greaves doubted the thief knew the contents of the haul.

"If I was looking to acquire some acids and cyanide to do something nasty the chances of finding some in a car are so remote that that is not what you do.

"It's more likely to be a problem if whoever has got some thinks they are drugs or dumps them somewhere the kids play. That is when it could be serious."

Police spokesman Kate Nelmes said yesterday: "We are extremely concerned to find the whereabouts of these chemicals. We would advise anyone who finds them or sees them in any place to ring the police immediately.

"They should not undo the bottles and they should leave them where they are until police arrive."

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 0845 0901234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.