Homes evacuated and man arrested under explosive substance act
It's after suspected hazardous materials were found in a house in Stockport
Last updated 2nd Jun 2023
A man has been arrested and a number of residential properties have been evacuated, following the discovery of suspected hazardous materials in a house in Stockport.
The discovery was made by police officers earlier today (Thursday 1 June 2023) during a search of the house on Middleton Road, Reddish in response to intelligence about the manufacture of illegal fireworks. No injuries have been reported.
The 50-year-old suspect is currently in custody, being held under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act.
A 100 metre cordon is currently in place.
Residents who have been displaced by the evacuation have been relocated to the homes of family/ friends in the first instance. Those with no alternative accommodation are being directed, by Stockport Council, to Houldsworth Village, Broadstone Road. Further updates will follow but it is unlikely they will be able to return home this evening.
Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area.
A major incident has been declared whilst specially trained representatives from the relevant agencies conduct the timely and safe recovery of the hazardous materials.
Silver Commander Chief Inspector Jamie Collins said: “We understand this news will have caused some concern in the community, not just amongst the residents who have unfortunately been displaced. Our highest priority is keeping people safe which is why we have put a cordon in place, evacuated properties and warned members of the public to avoid the area. This has understandably caused some disruption and, though we are not yet in a position to confirm when the area will return to normal, further updates will follow throughout the evening. I would like to use this opportunity to thank the community for their cooperation and patience.”
UPDATE, Thursday 2 June
In their latest update on Facebook just before midnight, GMP said:
'GMP and partner agencies are continuing to work to recover the hazardous materials and dispose of them in a timely and safe manner.
'The cordon remains in place. It is highly unlikely that displaced residents will be allowed to return to their homes overnight but all are now in alternative accommodation so the rest centre at Houldsworth Village is now closed.
'Further updates will be posted by GMP Heatons & Reddish as soon as they are made available. Thank you to the community for their cooperation and patience.'
UPDATE 7am, Friday 2 June
In a statement on social media, Greater MAnchester Police said:
'GMP and partner agencies worked throughout the night but efforts to recover the hazardous material and dispose of them safely are ongoing.
'The cordon remains in place so displaced residents can not yet return to their homes and members of the public should continue to avoid the area. '
Silver Commander Superintendent David Henthorne said: "Specialist colleagues are working as fast as they can to remove these hazardous materials from the area without endangering any property or any person but, unfortunately, this is taking some time and we cannot estimate how much longer that will be. This is obviously really frustrating for those who live within the cordon and we thank them for their cooperation and patience so far. Ourselves and our partner agencies are doing everything we can to get them back in their homes as soon as it is safe for us to do so."