Bomb squad scrambled to Rushden as nearby homes 'immediately evacuated'

Residents have been evacuated in the area of Rockingham Court in Rushden with a police bomb squad sent to the scene over a 'potentially suspicious' item

A police bomb squad rushed to a residential area where people have been evacuated over a "potentially suspicious" item

Northamptonshire Police said a "precautionary" 100m cordon was in place around the area of Rockingham Court in Rushden after the item was found on Saturday evening.

And a rest centre has been set up at Hope Methodist Church in 29 High Street, Higham Ferrers, for those who have been evacuated. Specialist officers from an explosive ordnance disposal team were at the scene to assess how to remove it safely if necessary.

The force said: "We are this evening (March 14) responding to an incident in Rushden. Police officers were called just before 7pm following reports of a potentially suspicious item found in the area of Rockingham Court.

"Specialist officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit are on the scene and are currently working to assess the item and if necessary, remove it safely.

"They have deemed necessary that a precautionary 100m cordon is put in place whilst this work takes place and we hope to have this lifted as quickly as possible. Residents in the immediate area are being evacuated, again as a precautionary measure.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to people in the local area and we hope to have this incident safely resolved as soon as we can. Updates will be provided as and when we get them."

And an update from the police reads: "All of the properties within the 100m cordon have been visited and safety advice has been provided. A rest centre for those who have been evacuated as a precautionary measure has been set up at the Hope Methodist Church in 29 High Street in Higham Ferrers, NN10 8DD."

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