‘Police and people in chemical suits’ swarm evacuated north London bank after mystery illnesses

Dozens of police and hazardous chemical experts have swooped on a bank in north London which was evacuated last week.

A branch of NatWest in Golders Green was shut after several people reported feeling unwell on Friday afternoon.

Experts from the London Fire Brigade attended the scene but found that there were no harmful levels of hazardous materials present.

Further forensic tests have been carried out and police remain on the scene.

Meanwhile, the five people who reported experiencing unusual symptoms were checked by London Ambulance Service paramedics and required no further treatment.

The bank was still shut as of Monday morning, but is expected to open later in the day. A sign on the front door says the branch is ‘temporarily closed’.

One customer said: ‘It’s a bit of a mystery, the sign just says temporarily closed. I need to get money out for my business.’

A witness who runs a shop opposite the bank told Metro: ‘It was unreal.

‘There were so many police and people in chemical suits. Considering what has been going on in the area lately, it’s very worrying. Seeing the levels of response, it was frightening.’

Police have said inquiries are ongoing, but no terror link is suspected.

What have the Met Police said?

A Met Police spokesman said: ‘Officers, the London Fire Brigade, and the London Ambulance Service responded quickly and evacuated the premises before conducting tests which confirmed there to be no elevated levels of hazardous materials.

‘The cordon [around the bank] has since been removed, but a small scene remains in place inside the building while forensic examinations are carried out.

‘We believe there to be no wider impact to the community and we thank residents for their patience and cooperation while emergency services carried out the initial response.’

London Fire Brigade sent crews from Euston, Bexley, West Hampstead.

Assistant commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: ‘A number of people were experiencing a range of symptoms which could indicate exposure to a chemical or other substance.

‘Crews carried out a thorough search of the area using detection, identification and monitoring equipment and have now confirmed there are no elevated levels of hazardous materials present.’

There is currently no suggestion that the incident is linked with a spate of antisemitic attacks on the area in recent months – including the stabbing of two men just a few hundred yards from the bank and the torching of four volunteer ambulances run by Jewish charity Hatzola.

Nevertheless, police have confirmed they will continue to deploy extra patrols in the Golders Green area following the spate of suspected antisemitic attacks.

A staff member at the convenience store Price Chopper said: ‘My customers are all talking about it. There were loads of emergency services.

‘Everyone is nervous around here after the recent attacks.’