Anfield avenue swarmed by bomb squad in human stays probe as ‘white powder’ discovered
Army bomb disposal officers were called to Douglas Road in Anfield after more bags of suspicious white powder were discovered at a property – officers had already attended the scene previously
Police have been called to the scene twice
Military bomb disposal experts were called to a UK street for the second consecutive day after more bags containing “suspicious white powder” were found. The incident in Anfield, Merseyside is connected to a probe involving human remains.
Merseyside Police cordoned off Douglas Road at approximately 1.45pm on Monday, February 2, following the discovery of additional quantities of the substance during an extensive forensic examination of a house.
Around 20 neighbouring homes were cleared as a safety measure, with blue police tape stretched across the road entrance. The Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit arrived at the location and took away the powder for further analysis.
Officers confirmed that a controlled detonation was deemed necessary and the substance was safely destroyed, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Authorities had also been called to the same address on Sunday, February 1, at roughly 2.30pm, when a quantity of white powder was uncovered during forensic investigations.
On that instance, the EOD team collected the material, which was transported to open ground and eliminated through a controlled blast.
An EOD vehicle was rushed from the location at high speed, flanked by three Matrix units at around 4.30pm.
The street was reopened shortly afterwards, whilst a mobile police station continued to be positioned outside the property in question. Forensic specialists have been working at the Douglas Road location for over three weeks as part of a broader inquiry that began following the discovery of human remains at a flat in Gerards Court, St Helens, on January 8.
Merseyside Police has confirmed the investigations are linked.
In a statement released on Monday, a police spokesman said: “We can confirm that a cordon has been lifted on Douglas Street, in Anfield, after a suspicious substance was safely removed from a house.
“Several bags of white powder were found today (Monday 2 February) inside an address as part of an ongoing investigation. As a result, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended to remove and test the substance.
“It was determined that a controlled explosion was not required on this occasion and the powder has now been safely disposed.”
Local residents revealed to the ECHO they received minimal information before being ordered to evacuate their properties.
Andrew Robinson, 57, explained: “I was upstairs painting and my wife answered the door. The police officer said they’d found an ‘item of concern’ and that they had to evacuate five houses on both sides of the road. We went for a long walk, and as we came back around to the top of the road we saw the bomb squad.
“I asked them what it was, but no-one told us anything. Some of the police, their attitude was poor. They never rang us to tell us we could go back home.”
Mr Robinson also alleged that the lack of information had left neighbours feeling uneasy, stating that a meeting for residents had now been scheduled.
He further commented: “What happened proves that there’s stuff in there that we should have been told about. I want to know if it’s safe to walk past that place, or if it’ll go pop.”
Another local of Douglas Road, John Owens, 45, expressed his frustration, saying: “We went through all of this yesterday and they won’t tell you what’s going on. They just said you’ve got to go.
“I feel safe in my home, but we want to know more. Was it a bomb or stuff to make a bomb? It makes you unsettled.”
A parent with a child at the nearby Anfield Road Primary School voiced their concern: “They’ve been there for weeks, and my son is only six. He’s seeing police in hazmat suits and it’s unnerving.”
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson reassured: “Residents who were evacuated for their own safety have now been allowed to return. We would like to thank them for their patience while emergency services dealt with the incident.
“We don’t take a decision to evacuate residents lightly and we appreciate it must be difficult for those affected, particularly if children or elderly residents live in the house.
“We are under no illusion as to how disruptive the last two days would have been to residents. However, the safety of the public is paramount and we will always take the necessary action to protect our communities.
“The ongoing police presence on Douglas Street is in connection with an investigation into the discovery of human remains in a flat in Gerrards Court, St Helens on January 8 and we will continue to search the premises until we are satisfied all evidential opportunities have been captured.”
Officers have also maintained a presence at a third site, on Moss Bank in St Helens, connected to the probe into the discovery of human remains.
A police forensic tent had been positioned outside a garage previously, whilst a motor vehicle and abandoned boat were contained within a cordoned area.
George Gordon, 65, of Gerards Court, St Helens, has been charged with preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body and obstructing a coroner in the execution of their duty.
He appeared before magistrates on January 12.
