Kidderminster terror probe: Suspect still being held hours after bomb squad called
Police were today continuing to question a man arrested in a counter-terror probe in Kidderminster , hours after the bomb squad was called to the discovery of 'suspicious material' at a house in the area.
Bomb disposal experts and specialist officers swooped on a house in Kidderminster in connection with the arrest of the man armed, who was said to have been carrying knives near the town's army reserves base.
Merton Close was sealed off for the operation around 8pm on Monday, following the arrest on Birmingham Road under 24 hours earlier.
Residents were told to leave their homes due to fears over the material found but counter-terror chiefs later confirmed it was not dangerous.
West Midlands Police spokeswoman Joanne Hunt said today: "Officers conducted a routine search of premises in Merton Close, Kidderminster in connection with the arrest of a 23-year-old man on Sunday.
"Following the discovery of suspicious material some local residents were evacuated for a short period of time.
"The ordnance disposal unit were called who confirmed that the material was not suspicious and people were returned to their homes. Nobody was in danger at any time."
The road was blocked for around two hours and train services suspended.
It is just over a mile away from where the 23-year-old man was arrested by armed police after being found carrying knives and an axe.
Police said they were trying to work out whether the man's motives were terror-related.
A West Mercia Police spokeswoman said: "Officers from West Mercia Police assisted West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU). The cordon was in place for around two hours.
"We would like to thank the public for your patience, in particular local residents for your co-operation, and apologise for any disruption caused."
Network Rail confirmed on Twitter that London Midland services were affected between Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street station and Birmingham Snow Hill including Kidderminster and Stourbridge Junction.
A spokesman said: "There was a police incident at Merton Road in Kidderminster this evening and on police advice we had to close the railway from 8pm to 8.30pm."
