Man Admits Bomb Hoax Spree Across South London and Surrey
Christopher Butterfield, 63, from Tadworth, Surrey, has pleaded guilty to six bomb hoax charges. The admission came at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 26 February. He is now remanded in custody and will face Croydon Crown Court on a date yet to be set.
Police Snare Suspect After Multiple Bomb Threats
Butterfield was arrested in Surrey on Monday, 24 February, following a joint operation between the Metropolitan Police and Surrey Police. The arrest came after six separate bomb threats targeted commercial premises across south London and Surrey.
Six Bomb Hoaxes Spark Evacuations
- Sunday, 16 Feb, 11:45am: Met officers attended a supermarket in Beddington Lane, Waddon.
- Monday, 17 Feb, 1:50pm: Another threat at a supermarket on Beddington Lane, Waddon.
- Friday, 21 Feb, 11:30am: Surrey Police responded to a supermarket on Banstead High Street, Banstead.
- Friday, 21 Feb, 11:00am: Police attended a shop in Sutton High Street, Sutton.
- Friday, 21 Feb, 4:30am: Surrey Police called to a supermarket on Kiln Lane, Epsom.
- Saturday, 22 Feb, 4:20pm: Met officers responded to a shop in Valley Retail Park, Croydon.
Each time, stores were swiftly evacuated, and police carried out precautionary searches.
False Alarms Cause Panic, But No Danger Found
All incidents were confirmed as non-suspicious hoaxes, causing widespread disruption but no actual threat.
