§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hoax anthrax attacks have been reported since 11 September; and if he will make a statement. [13026]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 6 November 2001]: The Metropolitan Police started recording the number of hoax anthrax attacks on 9 October, with the rest of the United Kingdom's police forces following suit on 19 October.
556WSince then, there have been 2,700 false alarms, scares, threats and hoaxes relating to suspicious packages and mail items.
With the exception of Halloween, these incidents have dropped significantly since 23 October.