Man held over letter bomb attacks

Police arrested Justin McAuliffe after a nationwide appeal

A man has been arrested in connection with dozens of letter bombs mailed to various addresses across England.

Police said Justin McAuliffe, 32, of Bedford, was seen walking on a grass verge along the A6 by a police support worker at 0830 BST on Saturday.

A nationwide alert was issued earlier this month after 33 hand-written packages were posted to addresses across the country.

Mr McAuliffe is being questioned by detectives at Luton Station.

A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman said: "Bedfordshire Police have arrested Justin McAuliffe, the 32-year-old Bedford man wanted in connection with sending dangerous packages to addresses in Bedfordshire and other counties.

"A female member of the Bedfordshire Police support staff who was travelling to work along the A6 saw a man she thought looked like Justin McAuliffe. She called police who came and arrested him."

A total of 33 improvised explosive devices have been posted since 3 September to addresses in Blackpool, Colchester, Luton and Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

The 33rd parcel was delivered to an address in south London.

It had been posted to a Luton address but then forwarded to the recipient's new home in the borough of Lewisham.

On Sunday Bedfordshire Police said Mr McAuliffe was still being questioned at Luton Station.