Homes evacuated and two arrested as police search Essex property for explosives

Following a search using explosives, two men were arrested and a 100-metre cordon was put in place around a property in Chelmsford.

Essex Police have confirmed that a 34-year-old Chelmsford man is being held on suspicion of an offense under the Explosives Act 1883.

A 33-year-old woman from Ongar was also arrested.

As part of the ongoing investigation, police searched the property in Meadgate Avenue and found items they said “required specialist attention”.

Police said: “Some properties in the area were evacuated and a 100-metre cordon was put in place as a precaution.

“The purpose of this is to ensure the safety of the community and to provide experts with time and space to work.”