A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after explosive material was found at an address in Blackpool, prompting the evacuation of nearby properties.
Lancashire Constabulary said officers discovered “a quantity of items of concern” at a property on Gloucester Avenue at around 11.30am on Wednesday. The teenager was arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
Bomb disposal specialists attended the scene to assess the items, with support from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service. A significant police presence was reported in the area, about a mile from Blackpool promenade.
Chief Inspector Martin Wyatt said the emergency response was expected to continue into the evening of New Year’s Eve. He thanked residents for their support and cooperation, adding: “We appreciate that this will be disruptive and concerning for the local community, but we want to reassure all residents we are working extremely hard with all our partners to make the address safe and bring this matter to as swift a conclusion as we can.”
