Grimethorpe: Cordon reduced after bomb squad called to village

Hundreds of people evacuated from their homes while Army bomb experts removed "a number of suspicious items" from an address have been allowed to return.

About 130 properties were cleared and a 100m (328ft) cordon put in place around an address in Brierley Road, Grimethorpe, on Wednesday morning.

South Yorkshire Police later reduced the cordon to just three houses.

A 58-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman were both arrested on suspicion of offences under the Firearms Act.

A police spokesperson said the woman was later further arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

The force said the incident was not terrorism-related.

Emergency services, including the Army's bomb squad, were called to the street in Barnsley after a warrant was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday.

This led to a number of "suspicious items" being removed and "made safe", the force added.

No details of the items recovered have been released.

Those forced to evacuate were initially told the cordon was expected to be in place for 72 hours, with a rest centre set up at St Luke's Church.

However, the cordon was reduced at about 22:15 on Wednesday.

Searches at the three properties which remained cordoned off on Thursday were expected to continue for a further 24 hours, police said.

According to the Press Association, police activity was focussed on a disused church building and adjoining house, which had been in the process of being renovated for a number of years.

Reverend Canon Paul Cartwright said volunteers from St Luke's had offered food and drink to people displaced, with one person being given overnight accommodation.

"Grimethorpe's a fantastic community, we've always looked after each other," Mr Cartwright said.

"Actually, the best came out yesterday."

Assistant Chief Constable David Hartley said: "I would like to again express my gratitude and thanks to the local residents for their continued understanding and support.

"This would have been a distressing and disruptive incident for everyone affected. We want to reassure the community that your safety is, and always will be, our priority.

"Our officers still remain at the cordon, and if you have any concerns please do stop and talk to them. They are there to listen and help as best they can."

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