WHITE powder sparked an alert at a tax office today in one of three linked incidents around the county.

A member of staff at the Inland Revenue Enquiry Centre at Medvale House in Mote Road, Maidstone, opened a letter which contained the white powder residue at around 9.50am.

Police say the powder is similar to that found in fire extinguishers, and matched similar powder sent to a post office in Swanley and a pensions office in Sittingbourne earlier today.

Police and firefighters closed off Maidstone's Mote Road at the junction with Knightrider Street and Lower Stone Street soon after the incident began.

No members of staff are thought to have come into contact with the powder, and there were no reports of ill effects.

One floor of the building was closed off and employees were asked to remain inside where some could be seen watching from the windows.

A spokeswoman for Maidstone and Malling Police said: “We are following normal procedure. There have been no harmful effects to any member of the public or staff employed in the buildings and Kent Police have no reason to suspect the incidents are suspicious.”

One fire engine from Maidstone attended, together with an incident support unit from Strood and a specialist technical fire officer from Surrey. The road remained closed off at lunchtime.

A suspect parcel leaking powder resulted in Royal Mail’s delivery office at Swanley being partially evacuated.

Firefighters from Dartford attended the office in London Road but the substance was later found to be harmless.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Half of the 20 deliveries that normally go out from the office were delayed, affecting about eight postal delivery rounds.

"These unfortunately will arrive a little than planned and we apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused.”