THE multi-agency response to the Novichok poisonings in Salisbury last year which was led by Wiltshire Police has been nominated for an award

The Wiltshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF) Strategic Coordinating Group (SCG), which was chaired by Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills, has been named as one of the finalists at the inaugural World Class Policing Awards, which will be held in London today (November 14).

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were exposed to the nerve agent in March 2018, and in June of that year Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess came into contact with Novichok and a second major incident was declared in Amesbury. Dawn subsequently died on July 8.

DCC Mills said: "This was a completely unprecedented set of incidents which required a unique multi-agency approach.

"Over six months, the SCG developed an approach to the public health risks which had never before been encountered anywhere in the world.

"Through the tireless work of partners within the SCG during the response phase, the risk and wider threat to the public was managed. The agent used in this attack was almost entirely unknown, which meant the SCG was required to bring together the scientific community alongside the local and national government agencies to deal with the attacks.

"Being nominated for this award is recognition of the unflinching dedication shown by all partners involved in the response to these attacks.

"Although this shortlisting is positive recognition for us and partner agencies, it is also important that we continue to reflect on the impact these incidents had on our communities and that Dawn Sturgess tragically lost her life as a result."

The Wiltshire and Swindon Local Resilience Forum Strategic Coordinating Group, in collaboration with partners, worked to preserve public safety, reassure the public, and assist the ongoing murder investigation led by the Counter Terrorism Network.

The Wiltshire & Swindon Local Resilience Forum Strategic Coordinating Group, in collaboration with partners, worked to preserve public safety, reassure the public, and assist the ongoing murder investigation led by the Counter Terrorism Network.

At it's height, the SCG group consisted of 26 different partner agencies including Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council, Ministry of Defence, DSTL, NHS, Salisbury District Hospital Trust, South Western Ambulance Service (NHS Foundation Trust), NHS England and Government Agencies - DEFRA, Public Health England, Environment Agency and Public Health Wiltshire.

The World Class Policing Awards received over 100 entries which have been judged against specific criteria by an expert panel consisting of senior police stakeholders.