Bomb-disposal experts analysing items found as homes in Plymouth street evacuated

Explosives experts were called to a residential area in Devon where police evacuated homes.

Officers found items requiring “specialist analysis” after executing a search warrant at a property on College Avenue in the Mutley area of ​​Plymouth.

A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of carrying an unregistered firearm and is currently in police custody.

Police said emergency services responded to the “incident” on College Avenue but did not say what type of incident it was.

They evacuated a number of properties and set up a 100-metre police cordon.

Plymouth City Council has set up an evacuation center at a local community center for residents who have nowhere else to go.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Emergency services attended a property on College Avenue after officers found items requiring specialist analysis by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.

“The cordon is in place for public safety and to provide appropriate access to emergency services at the scene while this work continues.”

They said that while police teams were searching and examining the house where they arrested the suspect, they found “other items that required expert examination” and that bomb disposal experts were called to the scene on Tuesday evening.

Police said the incident was not believed to be linked to terrorism and they did not believe there was a wider risk.

“We cannot say how long the cordon will remain in place, but we will inform the public when we receive more information,” they said.