Appeal to find Brighton bombing 999 workers over asbestos risk

The Grand Hotel in Brighton was the scene of an IRA bomb in October 1984 Credit: PA

Sussex Police has launched an appeal to find former 999 workers who worked at the scene of the Brighton bomb of 1984 after a former met officer died last year of an asbestos-related illness.

The IRA bomb was detonated on October 12 1984, killing five people and injuring dozens more. The intended target was prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who was staying there during the Conservative Party conference.

The inside of the wrecked hotel Credit: PA

The force is sending letters to the city council, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust and Conservative Party members as well as local hotels and businesses.

The letter lets them know that their staff may have been affected at that time and tell what we are doing to support our own officers who may be concerned about the possible effects on their health.