Novichok poisoning: Four more vehicles seized in Salisbury and Swindon as police investigation widens

Dawn Sturgess died and partner Charlie Rowley was left critically ill after being exposed to nerve agent in Wiltshere

Police have seized four more vehicles from Salisbury and Swindon as part of an ongoing probe into the Amesbury Novichok poisoning.

Dawn Sturgess passed away at Salisbury District Hospital on Sunday evening (8 July) after being exposed to the nerve agent in Wiltshire two weeks ago.

Her partner Charlie Rowley was left critically ill following the poisoning, which occurred just months after former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal were targeted with the same toxin in the same city.

Dawn Sturgess, a mother-of-three from Durrington, died after being exposed to novichok (Facebook)

Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the head of UK counterterror policing, described the search investigation has “one of the most complex and difficult that UK policing has ever faced”.

“The work being carried out is extremely important. Not only are we trying to solve an extremely serious crime that has been committed, but we’re also working to identify any potential outstanding risks to the public; all whilst ensuring that all those involved in the search process are not themselves exposed to any risk of contamination,” he added.

Officers hope that Charlie Rowley, whose partner died in hospital on Sunday, can help them establish how the couple came to be contaminated (AFP/Getty) (AFP)

“It is painstaking and vital work, which unfortunately takes a very long time to complete, but I am sure that the public understands why it is absolutely necessary.”

News of the removals comes hours after tests revealed that the deadly substance came from a small bottle found in Mr Rowley’s house. Experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons were drafted in and scientific tests at Porton Down confirmed that the substance in the bottle is novichok.

Investigators are working to establish where the bottle came from and how it got into Mr Rowley’s home. Scotland Yard said further tests will be carried out to try and establish whether it is from the same batch that contaminated Mr Skripal and his daughter in March.

“The safety of the public and our officers remains paramount and we are continuing to work closely with Wiltshire Police, scientists, health experts from Public Health England and other partners,” Mr Basu said.

Officers from Wiltshire Police are working with around 100 counter-terrorism detectives on the investigation into the poisoning. A senior government scientific source previously told journalists including The Independent that the nerve agent could have been smuggled through a British airport in a “discreet” container

“The use of chemical weapons is unacceptable and contravenes international law,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said. “The UK remains committed to upholding the integrity of the Opcw as the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention overseeing the global ban on their use.”

Meanwhile, a post-mortem into Ms Sturgess’ cause of death is scheduled to take place on Tuesday. Police have confirmed that a murder investigation has now been launched.

Her family said in a statement: “Dawn's death has been devastating for us. Dawn will always be remembered by us as a gentle soul who was generous to a fault.”