Bomb squad team swoop in suburb

ARMY bomb disposal experts swooped on a Tyneside street at the centre of an explosives scare.

They were joined by counter terrorism officers in the operation on a suburban Newcastle street.

A 22-year-old man was taken into custody on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.

The North East Counter Terrorism Unit said the arrest was “not terrorrelated”.

Those living and working near to Cedar Styreet in Fenham in the city’s West End, told of their shock at yesterday action.

A woman who works on Cedar Road said: “You never expect it to happen on your street.

“It’s usually so quiet around here I think everyone is a bit surprised.

Northumbria Police stressed there was no threat or danger to the public.

Officers first swooped on a computer repair shop on Cedar Road in the early hours yesterday morning.

Chief Insp John Heckles said: “We would like to reassure the local community that there is nothing to suggest that there was, or is, any risk to people in the area.

“We have extra officers in the area to reassure people and anyone with any concerns can speak to us by ringing 101.”

The bomb disposal unit had left the scene in Fenham by about 10:30am.

The North East CTU said both a property and premises had been searched but “nothing of concern” had been found.

Police kept a cordon in place around the computer shop throughout the afternoon.

A neighbour said: “I don’t know what to say.

“It’s not nice if something like this happens on your street.

“When I woke up all the police were here. It’s scary. Very scary.”

Cedar Road remained open to traffic throughout and businesses either side of the small cordon were going on as normal.

Many people had been caught off guard by what had happened after not hearing anything during the night.

A neighbour on Cedar Road said: “It’s just too close to home. With everything going on in Fenham at the moment it’s not good at all.”

Northumbria Police said the closure of nearby Sacred Heart Catholic High School, which is just off Cedar Road, was not related to the arrest.