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Counter-terror police cordon off road for two hours during investigation

Counter-terror police blocked a road for two hours and train services were suspended during an investigation in Kidderminster.

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Police at the scene: Credit: Tabatha Robbins

Passengers faced disruption after London Midland services were halted for around 30 minutes this evening.

Merton Close was closed off by police at around 8pm.

The road is close to Birmingham Road where a man was arrested on Sunday after being found carrying knives and an axe near Kidderminster Army Reserve Centre.

West Mercia Police later tweeted that the cordon had been lifted.

A West Mercia Police spokeswoman said: "A 100m cordon put in place as a precautionary measure in the Merton Close area of Kidderminster this evening has now been lifted.

"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 cooperation, and apologise for any disruption caused."

Further details on the nature of the investigation have yet to be confirmed.

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.

It happened just after 8pm, but normal service was resumed shortly after.

A statement from Network Rail said: "Police have dealt with an incident near the railway in the Kidderminster area, allowing all lines to reopen between Kidderminster and Stourbridge Junction.

"Trains are returning to normal, however some trains may be delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised. This is expected to continue until the end of service.

"Chiltern Railways are no longer affected by this disruption."

A Network Rail spokesperson added: "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."

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