Woman worker at Longannet ‘poisoned guards for stealing her milk’

POLICE are investigating after two security officers were hospitalised, allegedly after having their milk poisoned.

An internal investigation has also been launched by Securitas, which manages security at Longannet Power Station, in Fife after a female colleague reportedly poisoned the men with industrial cleaner in revenge for stealing her milk.

They were taken to hospital on Monday, but released the same day and back at work on Tuesday.

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The worker reportedly snapped after colleagues continually helped themselves to her milk. The pair then complained about feeling unwell and were taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital, in Larbert, for tests, before being discharged.

A Fife Constabulary spokesman said: “Police are investigating an isolated incident at Longannet power station.

“There are no concerns for the public or any members of staff at this time.”

ScottishPower runs the station, but did not comment further than saying the staff involved did not work for them.

However, Securitas confirmed it has launched its own investigation.

A spokesman for the firm said: “The situation was that the two officers were taken to hospital on Monday feeling unwell. They were checked and discharged on Monday afternoon and returned to work yesterday. We are pleased that they are OK.”

He said no-one had been suspended as a result of the incident.

The spokesman added: “I can’t comment further at this time as an investigation is underway. We are also carrying out an internal investigation and once we complete that, we will be able to comment.”

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It is not clear if the worker had deliberately spiked her own milk in the belief that the men would steal it.

One source was reported as saying: “One of the men started feeling ill a couple of hours after they drank it.

“They said they thought the milk tasted funny but they still drank it.

“They smelled the milk and realised she had put industrial cleaner in it. Then there were ambulances and they got taken to the hospital.

“It was only milk. You don’t go and poison somebody. Everybody drinks each other’s. What is it, 40p a pint?”

Another suggested the worker never intended to see the pair require hospital treatment.

“The guys were always using her milk when theirs ran out,” they were reported as saying. “Sometimes they finished it, meaning she couldn’t have a cuppa. Eventually she just lost it and decided to get them back.

“But she didn’t realise they would end up in hospital or that the police would get involved.”

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Police said the investigation was still ongoing on Wednesday night.

Detectives are understood to have questioned the woman, but no-one has been arrested or charged in relation to the incident.

Longannet is Scotland’s largest coal-fired power station and last month ScottishPower launched a major upgrade of the site, which is expected to cost £20 million.