POLICE have confirmed that bomb disposal officers being called to Merton Close, in Kidderminter, is connected with the arrest of a man on Sunday night.

West Midlands Police confirmed that the arrest of the 23-year-old man who was in possession of knives and an axe near to the Territorial Army Centre, in Birmingham Road, on Sunday night (June 18) is connected to the police incident in Merton Close last night (June 19).

The 23-year-old remains in custody at this time, and is being questioned by police.

Police and bomb disposal officers raided a property in Merton Close on Monday night (June 19), which was home to a man named locally as Dan Bebb-Jones.

Officers searching the property discovered "suspicious material" prompting the evacuation of homes and a 100m cordon being put in place.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Officers conducted a routine search of premises in Merton Close, Kidderminster yesterday evening (June 19) in connection with the arrest of a 23-year-old man on Sunday (June 18).

"Following the discovery of suspicious material some local residents were evacuated for a short period of time.

"The Ordnance Disposal unit were called who confirmed that the material was not suspicious and people were returned to their homes.

"Nobody was in danger at any time."

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

(The house (centre) that was searched in Merton Close by police and bomb disposal officers. Picture on Tuesday morning (June 20). 

Residents 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.

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

Jay Marcarelli, who lives in Merton Close, said the cordon was put in place at around 8pm yesterday 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 resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Police were here from Sunday night and it was all quite dramatic.

"It was quite a shock when we were evacuated. But I just went to the pub for a drink and a bite to eat until we were allowed back."

You can read more about the incident in Merton Close on Monday night, here.

But, police have now confirmed the search was connected with the arrest of the man in possession of knives and an axe near to the Territorial Army Centre.

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

A spokesman for the unit said: "The arrest took place near a Territorial Army Centre, although there is no suggestion of any threat to that premises at this stage.

"The motives of the man are not yet known; the arrest is being investigated by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, supported by West Mercia Police."

You can read more about his arrest, here.

More information to follow.