Sellafield employees locked in after multiple shootings in Cumbria

Employees working at Sellafield, the nuclear reprocessing plant in west Cumbria, were locked in earlier today after a gunman opened fire in several surrounding areas, killing a number of people and injuring others.

After police warned all residents to stay indoors, Sellafield, which employs 10,000 people, decided to lock its gates.

Afternoon shift workers were advised not to attend the site until Cumbria police had removed or reduced the off-site risk and road blocks removed.

But, after police said they believed they had found the body of the suspected gunman, 52-year-old Derrick Bird, Sellafield was given the green light to reopen the gates.

In a statement posted on its website at about 2pm, the company said: “Cumbria Constabulary has now reopened the main roads around Sellafield and the site gates have reopened.

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“Afternoon shift personnel have been requested to attend site as normal, recognising there may be some delays. Morning shift personnel can be released except for those (minimum manning personnel) required to stay back and complete a handover.

“Day personnel should not attempt to leave early to prevent chaos on the roads.”