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Officer injured in nerve agent attack visited by chief

Chief constable says he is "deeply relieved" to have spoken to him in hospital.
Published - 09/03/2018 By - Sophie Garrod & Press Association

The officer currently in Salisbury District Hospital has been visited by Wiltshire's Temporary Chief Constable Kier Pritchard.

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey remains in a serious but stable condition.

Yesterday, T/CC Pritchard visisted the officer and also spoke to DS Bailey's wife.

T/CC Pritchard said: "I have visited Nick in hospital and I can confirm that he is conscious, talking and engaging with people. Of course, he still remains in a serious, but stable, condition, but I am deeply relieved to have visited him and spoken with him in person.

"I have also met with Nick's family and relayed our deep concern for their welfare.

"We have all been deeply appreciative of the outpouring of support from staff, public and around the country - we are very grateful for this.

"I would like to reassure you all that Nick is receiving medical intervention and care from highly specialist medical practitioners experienced in these matters.

"Nick is a hugely popular member of staff and all our thoughts are with him. The welfare of all of my officers and staff is of paramount importance to me.

"Officers who were first on the scene displayed selfless commitment to their jobs as they tried their very best to help these two people - unaware of what they were dealing with.

"At the time of the first emergency calls no one knew what developments this investigation would take and I would like to commend all officers, staff and volunteers who respond to emergency calls, every day, never knowing what is around the corner as they keep our communities safe.”

Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia were found collapsed on a bench on Sunday.

DS Bailey was first to the scene along with two other officers, who were shortly released from hospital with minor symptoms.

The Counter Terrorism Network confirmed on Wednesday that the substance used to attack the Russian double agent and his daughter was some form of nerve agent.

Today, Home Secretary Amber Rudd visited the police cordon in the Maltings, where she talked with T/CC Pritchard, the local Conservative MP John Glen and business owners.

Ms Rudd did not reveal any further details about the substance, how it was deployed, or who used it.

She said: "I understand people's curiosity about all those questions, wanting to have answers and there will be a time to have those answers.

"But the best way to get to them is to give the police the space they need to really go through the area carefully, to do their investigation and to make sure that they have all the support that they need."

Ms Rudd added: "At the moment our priority is going to be the incident, which is why I'm here in Salisbury today, making sure that everybody's protected around the incident, making sure the emergency services have had the support that they need and will continue to get it.

"In terms of further options, that will have to wait until we're absolutely clear what the consequences could be and what the actual source of this nerve agent has been."

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