A NUMBER of homes in Longtown are being evacuated as a precaution following the discovery of a suspicious item within a property.
Officers executed a warrant at a property on Burn Street this morning, July 24, as part of an investigation into information that there may be chemicals in the property.
During their enquires, a suspicious item was located and the the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) were contacted for their assessment.
A multi-agency operation is ongoing in response to this incident.
A 50m cordon is currently in place and homes within this area are being evacuated.
Longtown Community Centre, on Arthuret Road, is being used as a reception centre until this incident has been resolved.
At this stage, there is not believed to be any risk to the wider public.
Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area at this time.
Cumbria Constabulary detective superintendent Dan St Quintin said: “I would like to reassure the public that at this time there is not believed to be any risk to the wider public.
“The action to evacuate residents from neighbouring properties is a precautionary one, whilst we await an assessment by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
“Our officers remain in the area to carry out enquiries and offer reassurance.
“We thank those impacted by the evacuation for their ongoing patience. As soon as it is deemed safe to do so, they will be allowed to return to their homes.”
