A lady admits to making a number of false bomb threats to prominent landmarks in central London, including The Shard, the Palace of Westminster, the Conservative Party headquarters, and St. Thomas’ Hospital.
Meredith Pannett, who portrays herself as a ‘peace champion,’ triggered security warnings when she made a series of fraudulent calls to venues such as the Mansion House and University College London (UCL).
On Wednesday morning, October 19, the 51-year-false old’s reports prompted a number of buildings to take precautionary measures, including locking entrances and restricting access to particular areas.
This morning, social media users shared images of police cordons at Bank station and the entrance to St. Thomas’ Hospital in the City.
Meredith Pannett, who styles herself as a ‘peace champion,’ triggered security flags when she made a series of fraudulent phone calls to prominent sites.
A spokesperson at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said that no wards were evacuated; nonetheless, the entrance area on the ground level had to be cleared.
On the advice of the police, UCL closed its main campus gates and restricted entry to a small number of buildings at 10.30am that morning.
A spokeswoman stated, “Upon additional instruction, all areas reopened shortly thereafter.”
The actions were precautionary, and we appreciate the patience of individuals affected.
A Parliamentary spokesperson stated, “The safety and security of all Parliament employees is our highest priority.” We cannot, however, comment on specific security problems.
Pannett has pled guilty to six charges of transmitting false information to create a bomb hoax.
Wednesday afternoon’s Twitter update from the Metropolitan Police read: ‘Officers responded to a number of places in central London, including St. Thomas’ Hospital, this morning following a series of hoax bomb threats.
“We are confident there is no danger to the public.” Consequently, a woman was detained in Kent and remains in custody.’
Pannett, of Tenterden, Kent, appeared in Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 20, charged with six counts of transmitting false information to create a bomb hoax.
She pled guilty to all charges and was remanded in custody to appear before the Canterbury Crown Court at an undetermined date for punishment.
On her website, Pannett identifies herself as a “international advocate for peace through health.”
The club runner ran in events in the south of England in 2003, recording a 10k time of 33:59 in Chichester.
She states that she was “raised in a Church of England Christian family by my mother and father” and is passionate about “encouraging people.”