Homes evacuated after explosive substances arrest

Homes were evacuated and two people arrested after police searched a property under the Explosive Substances Act.

Essex Police put a 100m (328ft) cordon in place after searching the home in Meadgate Avenue, in the Great Baddow area of Chelmsford, on Tuesday.

Ahead of the warrant at the address, a 34-year-old man, from Chelmsford, was arrested on suspicion of an offence under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883.

One "suspicious" item was removed from the property, the force said.

A 33-year-old woman, from Ongar, was arrested on suspicion of the same offence on Tuesday. Both remain in custody.

The force said it identified items which required "specialist focus" and homes were evacuated as a precaution.

The cordon was lifted at 03:30 BST.

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