Bomb scare empties streets
Homes evacuated after package sparks alert
DOZENS of people were evacuated and the Army were scrambled after a package left outside a house sparked a major bomb scare.
The incident centred on Charles Street in Waterfoot after police were alerted to a suspicious package on Saturday, December 29.
Neighbours said two Army bomb disposal trucks arrived and soldiers descended on the streets.
They said dozens of police officers were deployed to search yards and gardens and shine torches into cars.
Several dozen houses on Ashworth Road and Robert Street were affected, with Whitewell Bottom Community Centre providing shelter for many worried people.
Resident Joanne Bartholomew, 37, returned home with her young daughter at around 6pm to find her home sealed off.
She said: “The police said the area had been evacuated and that we couldn’t go home. I went up to the community centre and there were about seven or eight people there waiting to go back home.”
The all-clear was given later that evening with police saying the object had been deemed ‘non-suspicious’.
DOZENS of people were evacuated from their homes and the Army were scrambled after a package left outside a house sparked a major bomb scare.
The incident centred on Charles Street in Waterfoot after police were alerted to a suspicious package on Saturday, December 29.
Neighbours, one of whom described the events as ‘bizarre and concerning’, said two Army bomb disposal trucks arrived and uniformed soldiers descended on the streets.
They said dozens of police officers were deployed to search yards and gardens and shining torches in cars.
A decision was made to evacuate the area at around 5.30pm, affecting residents in several dozen houses on Ashworth Road and Robert Street.
Craig Miller, 51, and his wife Sharon have lived on Charles Street for four years.
Sharon, 48, said: “We saw police outside shining torches into cars and thoroughly searching the street.
“There was a knock on the door before 6pm and we were told that a full evacuation of the area was happening because of a security alert. “It was just really bizarre and a bit concerning. We went to Craig’s mother’s and we were contacted by text at about 8.30pm that we could go back.
“I suppose in situations like this they have got strict procedures to follow and it will always be safety first. We heard later it was because a parcel was left on a doorstep on Charles Street.”
The Whitewell Bottom Community Centre on Burnley Road East was also opened up to provide shelter for many residents.
Joanne Bartholomew, 37, returned from a trip to the cinema with her young daughter at around 6pm to find her home sealed off.
She said: “The police said the area had been evacuated and that we couldn’t go home. I went up to the community centre and there were about seven or eight people there waiting to go back home.
“I just thought it would be pretty strange for someone to target Waterfoot.”
The all clear was given at around 8.30pm with police saying the object had been deemed ‘nonsuspicious’.
A 26-year-old motherof-one from Robert Street, who did not wish to be named, said: “As I was leaving to go to a relative’s I saw two bomb disposal trucks with soldiers in uniform going towards Charles Street.
“I heard afterwards that one of the neighbours had seen the package on the front doorstep and that it was pipe-shaped.”
A spokesman for Lancashire police, said: “We were called shortly before 4pm on December 29 to reports a suspicious package had been found on Charles Street in Waterfoot.
“A cordon was put in place and the area was evacuated while emergency services attended and investigated.
“The item was deemed non-suspicious and the cordon was lifted.”