Three men have been released after roads were sealed and homes evacuated due to “suspicious items”.
Cheshire Constabulary said officers were called to an address on Hale Road in Widnes at 7pm on Friday evening. A force spokesman said this followed a report from North West Ambulance Service that “suspicious items” had been spotted while attending a “call for help”.
Police set up a cordon near the junction of Lovel Terrace and properties were evacuated. Officers arrested three men who have since been bailed pending enquiries.
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A force spokesman said “suspicious items” - as yet unidentified - were seized at the property.
Cheshire Police hasn’t responded to a request to confirm the nature of the suspected offences.
Eyewitnesses told the ECHO around six police vehicles were present including armed response.
A constabulary spokesman said: "Three men have been bailed after police were called to an address on Hale Road in Widnes on Friday, December 30.
“One man, aged 34, and two men aged 28, were arrested and, following questioning, have now been bailed pending further enquiries.
"Officers were called to the property after colleagues from North West Ambulance Service noticed a number of suspicious items at the address while they were responding to a call for help.
“The items were seized and have been carefully examined, and the investigation is ongoing."
In an earlier statement issued on Friday night, Cheshire Police said: ""At around 7pm on Friday, December 30 police received a report of suspicious items at an address on Hale Road in Widnes.
"Officers were subsequently dispatched to Hale Road.
"As precautionary measures, a cordon has been set up and properties have been evacuated.
"Officers are currently in the process of trying to establish what the suspicious items are."
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