More than 100 homes told to evacuate as bomb squad descends on village
Police said a 'number of suspicious items' had been found in a house.
Residents of around 130 homes in a Yorkshire village have been told to pack their bags and evacuate after ‘a number of suspicious items’ were found at a property in the area.
The bomb squad descended on Grimethorpe, Barnsley, this morning after South Yorkshire Police placed a 100-metre cordon around the house on Brierley Road.
A rest centre has been established at a church as locals were told they may have to wait 48 hours to get back into their homes.
Two people, a 58-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman, have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Firearms Act and remain in custody.
A police spokesperson said: ‘It is anticipated residents may be evacuated for 48 hours.
‘Anyone evacuating is asked to pack a bag with all the essentials you may need for the next couple of days.
‘Please consider any medication you may require and what arrangements need to be put in place for your pets.’
According to locals, most of the activity was focused on a disused church building and adjoining house which had been in the process of renovation for several years.
Chelsey Woollard, who lives just outside the cordon, said: ‘Never in Grimethorpe. Even from being a young child.
‘It was a beautiful village and this has come as a shock – not just to me but the whole village as well.’
She added: ‘If someone didn’t catch it today, what would have happened? What could have happened?’
Sir Steve Houghton, the leader of Barnsley Council, said: ‘We’re working closely with our colleagues at South Yorkshire Police, and we have staff out in the area supporting their response.
‘We have opened a rest centre at St Luke’s Church for people who are being evacuated and don’t have anywhere else to go.
‘I urge local people to follow the advice from the police and keep them and their families safe.’
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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