Salisbury: Police descend on Zizzi restaurant where Skripals dined before falling ill

Police have attend the incident outside the Zizzi restaurant on Thursday evening
Simon Foot

Police are dealing with an incident outside the Zizzi restaurant where Sergei and Yulia Skripal had lunch before they fell ill.

Officers said a man in his 30s was found near the venue in Castle Street, Salisbury, on Thursday evening.

An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said the incident involved a "local homeless guy".

He said he saw a paramedic at the scene climbing into a chemical suit while another "was shouting at the man to stay put and stay on the floor".

Police in Salisbury have cordoned off a section of road near Zizzi
PA

"All the police officers had rubber gloves on," he added.

Publisher George Walkley, 41, arrived on the scene at around 8pm.

He said: "I was walking through the city centre and saw emergency vehicles and they had sealed off a stretch of Castle Street in Salisbury.

"There was a very heavy police presence there along with the fire service and ambulances."

The Skripals, who were exposed to the nerve agent Novichok, were found unconscious on a park bench earlier this year after leaving the restaurant.

Charlie Rowley, 45, remains seriously ill in hospital and his partner Dawn Sturgess, 44, died after the pair collapsed at his home in Amesbury last month having also been exposed to the nerve agent.

Wiltshire Police said in a statement said: "We are currently dealing with an incident in Castle Street, Salisbury, involving a man in his 30s.

"Given the ongoing incident in Salisbury and Amesbury, we are taking highly precautionary measures to ensure public safety.

"While we do not want people to be alarmed we hope you understand the reasons behind this and we will update you when we have any further information.

"At the moment there is nothing to suggest any wider risk to the public and we would ask people to avoid the immediate area and be respectful of the cordon which is in place."

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