Essex Police have warned that anthrax hoaxers would be hunted down after eight alerts across the county.

They also appealed for calm in the wake of the panic which has followed the confirmation of anthrax cases in the US.

Hundreds of workers were evacuated from buildings in Southend and Basildon when suspicious white powder was found leaking from packages.

An Essex Police spokesman today (Thursday) said there was no cause for alarm.

He said: "We've had eight incidents reported over the past three days of white powder being found in letters or parcels.

"None of them have proven to be anything suspicious. If they are deliberate hoaxes, we will be putting every effort into tracking down the people who sent them."

After a number of alerts in various parts of the country, Home Secretary David Blunkett last night (Wednesday)announced plans to hand out seven-year jail sentences to anyone who causes an anthrax security alert.

The sentences, which he hinted could be even stiffer in some cases, will apply to anyone who posts packages or makes phone calls which deliberately aim to cause panic.

Second anthrax scare at sorting office

Chelmsford's Royal Mail sorting office was the scene of a second powder spillage alert early today (Thursday).

But Essex Police said there was no evidence that the country has become a terrorist target and warned anthrax hoaxers they would be prosecuted if caught.

A fire service spokesman said they were called out at midnight after white powder was found in a lorry in the car park of the premises in Winsford Way.

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