Controlled explosion after ‘suspicious item’ is found
SEVERAL HOMES EVACUATED OVER ‘VIABLE DEVICE’ AS FIREARMS ALSO SEIZED
THE bomb squad last night carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious item.
Police say it’s not yet been confirmed what the device in Salford was, but explosive experts ‘deemed it to be viable.’
Firearms were also recovered and taken away for forensic examination after armed police searched Kersal Moor yesterday.
Several homes were evacuated after police cordoned off a footpath near Heathland Road.
Speaking earlier, one resident described the scene as ‘madness,’ while another told how they had been asked to leave their home by police in the afternoon.
They said: “I’ve been told to leave my house because I’m in the zone”.
Earlier yesterday armed police were pictured scouring the moor as part of a ‘wider operation.’ Residents said police had been in the area for a number of days.
Officers remained at the scene last night. A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said residents would be allowed back in their homes ‘as soon as possible.’
They added: “Specialists have conducted a controlled explosion after a suspicious item was found during an isolated and contained search operation in Kersal Moor.
“It has not yet been confirmed what the item was but explosive ordnance disposal carried out an assessment of it and deemed it to be viable.
“A number of other items - including firearms - were also recovered and have been taken away for forensic
examination. We continue to work at the scene to ensure those earlier evacuated from nearby properties will be allowed to return back to their homes as soon as possible. We thank the community for their continued cooperation during today’s operation.”