RESIDENTS were evacuated from their homes tonight when police and bomb disposal officers were called to a Kidderminster street.

Residents on social media said people in Merton Close, in Kidderminster, had been evacuated from their homes on Monday evening (June 19) at around 8pm and a cordon was put in place while police and bomb disposal officers were at the scene.

There was heavy police presence in Merton Close, with residents reporting that armed police were also at the scene.

West Mercia Police confirmed at 9.30pm that the cordon had been lifted and thanked residents for their co-operation.

A spokesman from West Mercia Police said: "A 100m cordon put in place as a precautionary measure in the Merton Close area of Kidderminster this evening (June 19) has now been lifted.

"Officers from West Mercia Police assisted West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU). The cordon was in place for around two hours.

"We would like to thank the public for your patience, in particular local residents for your co-operation, and apologise for any disruption caused."

Jay Marcarelli, who lives in Merton Close, said the cordon was put in place at around 8pm this evening.

He said: "There was a 100 metre radius where people had to be evacuated until the bomb disposal squad came to check the house."

One eyewitness said there had been police activity at a home in the road since Sunday evening.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: "The residents are talking through Facebook.

"They said it was related to terror activities, that's what's being said. I don't know.

"I can understand the police being cautious with what's happening in London.

"This is a bit close to home. It's my road."

An anonymous Shuttle reader said: "My mom and dad live in Merton Close.

"The bomb disposal unit arrived as a bomb was allegedly found at the property that the man arrested last night in Kidderminster lived at."

An eyewitness who did not wish to be named added: "Merton Close in Kidderminster has been closed off.

"Reports of an explosive substance has been found in a house relating to yesterday's terror attacks.

"Trains past the address and houses have been evacuated while they wait for specialist officers."

Trains had been cancelled between Kidderminster and Stourbridge Junction, due to the on-going police incident, but the line has since re-opened.

A statement on the National Rail website said: "Police have dealt with an incident near the railway in the Kidderminster area, allowing all lines to reopen between Kidderminster and Stourbridge Junction.

"Trains are returning to normal, however some trains may be delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised. This is expected to continue until the end of service.

"Chiltern Railways are no longer affected by this disruption."

It is not yet known if the incident is related to last night's arrest in Birmingham Road.

The West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit confirmed that a 23-year-old man was arrested last night (Sunday, June 18) by armed police while in the possession of knives and an axe in Birmingham Road. Find out more here.

Kim Bishop

What is your response?
All go , crowds of neighbours watching.

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Bromsgrove Advertiser: All go , crowds of neighbours watching.All go , crowds of neighbours watching.
All go , crowds of neighbours watching.
Bromsgrove Advertiser: All go , crowds of neighbours watching.All go , crowds of neighbours watching.
All go , crowds of neighbours watching.
Bromsgrove Advertiser: All go , crowds of neighbours watching.All go , crowds of neighbours watching.
All go , crowds of neighbours watching.
Bromsgrove Advertiser: All go , crowds of neighbours watching.All go , crowds of neighbours watching.
All go , crowds of neighbours watching.

 

Kim Bishop

What is your response?
Bomb squad there now .

Your pictures

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Bomb squad there now .Bomb squad there now .
Bomb squad there now .

More information to follow.