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Letter bombs 'target road-fine groups'

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- A letter bomb that exploded Wednesday injuring a woman was one of seven sent in the last three weeks that have hurt six people, police say.

At least three of the devices appear to have targeted organizations dealing motoring fines, the Association of Chief Police Officers said, according to the UK Press Association.

Wednesday's bomb detonated at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea, south Wales. (See Map)

"One female has been taken to hospital with injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening," a police statement said.

"A cordon has been put in place and nearby residents are being evacuated as a precautionary measure." The DVLA said the injured woman dealt with the company's mail.

On Tuesday, two people were injured when a similar device exploded at a business center in Wokingham, southwest of London, police.

The bomb targeted Vantis, a company involved in processing speeding fines.

On Monday, a padded envelope exploded at an office belonging to Capita Group, which administers the $16 daily fee meant to cut down on traffic in central London.

Police on Wednesday also confirmed that a letter bomb was sent to a private address in Folkestone last Saturday.

The person who opened it received minor injuries when it exploded.

Thames Valley police said two of the seven letter bombs targeted Abingdon, Oxfordshire and another the West Midlands areas of Britain in January. The police said these could be linked to animal rights activists.

The Folkestone bomb appeared unrelated, they added.

Britain's Home Secretary John Reid expressed concern over the incidents.

"Naturally, these incidents are worrying. It is important that we allow police to get on with their investigation without undue speculation," he said.

Prime Minister Tony Blair told parliament that authorities were "investigating very closely," describing injuries suffered by the bomb victims as "very traumatic."

Britain's Daily Mail newspaper quoted police saying the bombs could be the work of a "militant motorist."

Motoring journalist Quentin Willson warned that further incidents could follow amid growing anger at growing use of speed cameras and fixed penalties in the UK.

"This is a rather worrying sign and we could be looking at other forms of social unrest as a result of Britain's car camera culture," he told CNN.

An anti-speed camera campaigner identified as "Captain Gatso" said his Motorists Against Detection organization was not responsible for the bombs, the Daily Mail said.

Nigel Humphries, from the Association of British Drivers, said he was appalled by the attacks.

"I can't believe anyone would be so stupid. We're law-abiding people, we do not condone this at all," he said.

"Damaging equipment is one thing -- and we wouldn't even do that -- but to maim people, it's outrageous.

"We would have nothing to do with that sort of behavior in any shape or form."

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