Police have today asked taxi drivers to help with their ongoing investigation into Saturday’s bomb hoax on the border of Fishponds and Downend in which 460 homes had to be evacuated.
A 42-year-old man was arrested on Saturday night on suspicion of causing the hoax by placing with intent and has been released on bail while police inquiries continue.
Officers attended Cassell Road at around 4am on Saturday after receiving a call about a suspicious car. Due to the nature of the information received and the fact that the car smelt strongly of fuel, officers contacted the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team who came out and carried out some controlled explosions.
But shortly after 2pm the police revealed that no explosives had been found and that people could go back to their homes.
Investigating officer Det Con John Shanahan said today: “An examination of the car did not find any trace of explosives, but it had been doused in fuel.
“Our investigation is progressing and we are now appealing for taxi drivers for their assistance and we would like to speak to any drivers who:
- Dropped off or picked anyone up in the Blackhorse Road area of Downend/Emersons Green in the early hours of Saturday.
- Dropped off or picked anyone up in the Cassell Road area in the early hours of Saturday.
- Dropped off or picked anyone up in the City Road area of St Pauls, Bristol, at around 3.50am on Saturday.
- Dropped off or picked anyone up anywhere in the Bristol area who smelt of petrol, or who may have been carrying a petrol canister.
He urged them to call South Gloucestershire CID as soon as possible on the force’s 101 number.
