Emergency services responding to an ongoing incident in Longtown
Some homes have been evacuated after a suspicious item was found
A number of homes in Longtown are being evacuated as a precaution following the discovery of a suspicious item within a property.
Officers executed a warrant at a property on Burn Street this morning (24 July) as part of an investigation into information that there may be chemicals in the property.
During their enquires, officers located a suspicious item and have contacted the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) for their assessment.
A multi-agency operation is ongoing in response to this incident.
A 50m cordon is currently in place and homes within this area are being evacuated.
Longtown Community Centre, on Arthuret Road, is being used as a reception centre until this incident has been resolved.
At this stage, there is not believed to be any risk to the wider public.
To assist agencies in responding to this incident, members of the public are asked to avoid the area.
Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin, Cumbria Constabulary, said:
“I would like to reassure the public that at this time there is not believed to be any risk to the wider public.
“The action to evacuate residents from neighbouring properties is a precautionary one, whilst we await an assessment by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
“Our officers remain in the area to carry out enquiries and offer reassurance.
“We thank those impacted by the evacuation for their ongoing patience. As soon as it is deemed safe to do so, they will be allowed to return to their homes.”