Student 'could face extradition'

Stephen Jackley has a room at the university's Wyvern Hall

A student whose arrest sparked a search at his university residence in which a "suspicious" package was found may be extradited to the UK.

The package was found at the University of Worcester by police on Friday after Stephen Jackley, 22, from Devon, was arrested in Vermont.

He was accused of trying to buy a gun with fake ID in the US state.

West Mercia Police said it was investigating Mr Jackley over "firearms offences and other matters" in the UK.

It said officers were working with other forces "nationally and internationally" on the case.

'Lines of inquiry'

Mr Jackley, who is from Sidmouth, is currently in custody in the US awaiting a court appearance.

The search of Mr Jackley's room at the Wyvern Hall student accommodation was believed to have been prompted when his university card was found on him when he was arrested.

West Mercia Police has said that neither incident was "linked to terrorism".

A spokesman for the police force said: "We are continuing to work with our colleagues in the United States of America - and with other police forces nationally and internationally - and are following a number of lines of inquiry.

"Officers will be looking to interview Mr Stephen Jackley, but it is not yet clear whether this will be in the US or the UK.

Everyone is safe and well and the campus has been fully open and functioning as usual since Friday evening Professor David Green

"We are discussing with the Crown Prosecution Service the possibility of Mr Jackley's extradition to the UK."

The university's vice chancellor Professor David Green thanked staff and students for their co-operation during Friday's search and insisted the campus was "entirely safe".

Professor Green said in a statement: "After extensive professional investigation the suspicious device discovered by West Mercia Police was pronounced entirely safe.

"Everyone is safe and well and the campus has been fully open and functioning as usual since Friday evening."

He added: "You may also have read that a student at the university is currently in custody in the United States on suspicion of attempting to purchase a firearm using a false identity, together with related matters.

"This student was a resident on campus in Wyvern Hall. The device found on Friday was discovered during the course of the police investigation.

"There is no suspicion that any other individual was involved."