Stourbridge evacuation: Man, 25, arrested after 'suspicious package' shuts down road

A busy road had to be closed for around 12 hours as the bomb squad was called in to investigate the package found at the address in Danford Close, off Hagley Road.

Police were called on Saturday at 12.42pm – and soon put up a 300ft long cordon along the road. Later specialist explosive ordnance disposal officers arrived with a robot to check the package while homes were evacuated.

Officers examined a box containing a suspicious device, but it was later found to be non-explosive and the cordon was eventually lifted around 1.30am yesterday.

A 25-year-old Stourbridge man was later arrested in Staffordshire and was being questioned by officers.

• MORE: PICTURES: Homes evacuated and police cordon off Stourbridge road after suspicious package found

The Express & Star understands the initial call to police was made by an occupant of the flat.

While the cordon was up, dozens of residents, many elderly, were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.

Some sought refuge at the nearby Redhill School where food, drink and a place of rest was offered.

The Junction Road school is one of a number locations in the Dudley borough which are earmarked as 'emergency sites'.

Sarah Hall, acting head of resilience at the council, said a steady stream of people came in, with others making their own arrangements.

Several families were also offered the chance to stay the night at the Copthorne Hotel in Merry Hill before returning to their homes yesterday morning.

Chief Inspector Paul Ditta spoke soon after the cordon was put up, saying explosive ordnance disposal specialists were attending to determine exactly what had been found and ensure it was made safe.

The closure caused traffic problems in Stourbridge, blocking a main route out of the town centre towards Hagley and the M5.

Residents told of their shock yesterday morning once they were let back into their homes.

Inge Gordon, who has lived in the street for 22 years, said: "We just didn't know what was happening. The police officer came to the door and said we only had minutes to leave so I went and grabbed some of our family memorabilia and got out.

"My husband is in a wheelchair so the police had to assist him out.

"They had to come back and collect any medication for older residents as we were literally taken out of our homes there and then. It was frightening."

Another resident, who has lived in the street for 12 years, described the moment police told her to leave her home. She said: "The officer said you've got to leave now, I didn't have time to get any clothes, make up or anything. It was quite un-nerving. Apart from the shock of it all I must say that the police did a wonderful job in looking after us.

"It makes you worry what is going on next door to you as you just don't know."

Jeff Upperdine, aged 64, who was visiting a relative in the street at the time, added: "It was just really odd.We were told to leave so got in the car and went while they were putting the cordon in place. This is a really nice area with quiet and friendly people and not somewhere you would expect this to happen."

A police spokesman said: "A Stourbridge man was arrested in Staffordshire after a suspicious package was found at a house in Danford Close, Oldswinford. Emergency services contained the area and evacuated several homes while a thorough search of the property was carried out. Specialist EOD officers examined a box containing a suspicious device, but it was found to be non-explosive."