15 February 2024 , 16:31
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Residents in Rochdale have been forced to be evacuated after a stash of weapons, including rifles and grenades, were discovered at a house, it has been reported.
Officers rushed to cordon off parts two roads in the area this afternoon, after a collection of weapons was found, the Manchester Evening News reported. This evening, a bomb disposal team has turned up on the scene as locals are still unable to re-enter their homes.
The outlet reported that World War Two-era rifles and grenades were discovered inside a home as locals were warned to avoid the area. It has been said that several properties have been emptied so far, and police were initially responding to a concern for welfare at a property before discovering a "large amount of suspicious items inside".
A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Police said: "Emergency services are currently responding to an ongoing incident on Ashfield Road in Rochdale. Responding to a concern for welfare at a property, officers discovered a large amount of suspicious items inside.
"Emergency services remain on the scene and a cordon is in place while enquiries are ongoing. Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) have been tasked to attend the scene and inspect the property.
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Police at the scene of the incident in Rochdale (MEN)"As a precaution, several houses in the area have been asked to evacuate while this work continues. People are being asked to avoid Ashfield Road and its surrounding areas."
Bomb disposal teams have arrived on the scene this eveningMuhammad Ismail witnessed part of the incident. He told the MEN: "We live in the area and we've basically come back to grab something from our house and just at the bottom of Ashfield Road everything is being cordoned off.
"They've basically evacuated everyone as it is a threat to life. There has been a police presence since about 1pm, they have been there for some time. We've seen multiple different emergency vehicles attending the scene.
A cordon remains in place as locals are still not allowed back inside their homes"They've basically told everyone to get out of the house, but because of the bad weather a lot of people are actually stood outside in the rain. God knows how long this is going to take."