Police have arrested two people and established a 100-metre cordon around a property in Chelmsford, Essex, following a search involving explosives.
Arrests Made
Essex Police confirmed that a 34-year-old man from Chelmsford has been taken into custody on suspicion of an offence under the Explosive Substances Act 1883. Additionally, a 33-year-old woman from Ongar was also arrested in connection with the incident.
Property Search
As part of an ongoing investigation, officers searched a property on Meadgate Avenue and discovered items that they described as requiring specialist focus. The discovery prompted immediate safety measures.
Community Safety Measures
A police statement said: "A number of properties in the area have been evacuated, with a 100-metre cordon put in place as a precaution. This is to ensure the safety of the community and to allow specialists the time and space to work."
According to Essex Live, eyewitnesses reported seeing police cars, forensics teams, bomb squad units, and military personnel at the block of flats. Nearby houses were evacuated, and makeshift rest stations have been set up at a local church and school for residents displaced by the cordon.
