Houses evacuated after police find “suspicious items” inside house on Ashfield Road

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Ashfield Road at the junction of Vivian Street

Several houses in the Ashfield Road area of Rochdale have been evacuated and the bomb disposal team is in attendance at a property this afternoon (Thursday 15 February).

Emergency services remain on the scene and people are asked to avoid the area as a cordon is in place while enquiries are ongoing. A cordon is in place at the junction with Vivian Street.

Police said they discovered “a large amount of suspicious items inside” when responding to a concern for welfare and that the bomb disposal team is on scene.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “Emergency services are currently responding to an ongoing incident on Ashfield Road in Rochdale.

“Responding to a concern for welfare at a property, officers discovered a large amount of suspicious items inside.

“Emergency services remain on the scene and a cordon is in place while enquiries are ongoing.

“Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) have been tasked to attend the scene and inspect the property.

“As a precaution, several houses in the area have been asked to evacuate while this work continues.

“People are being asked to avoid Ashfield Road and its surrounding areas.”