Five arrested in connection with 'bomb threat' in Heywood

Two men, aged 17 and 25, and three women, aged 17, 24 and 41, have been arrested on suspicion of Explosives Act offences. They remain in police custody for questioning.

Police discovered a potentially explosive device as they conducted a search inside a house in the Darnhill area at about 9.20pm yesterday.

They alerted specialist officers about the discovery in Bury Old Road and bomb disposal teams were called to the site.

The property was being searched as part of an ongoing investigation into the theft of a motorbike.

Several homes were evacuated after the suspicious device was found.

A controlled explosion was carried out in a nearby field at about 11pm.

Officers installed a cordon at the site, and properties within a 100m radius of the device were evacuated as a precaution.

The cordon has since been lifted and residents have been allowed to return to their properties.

The investigation is being led by officers from Rochdale police force.

Chief Inspector Mark Warner, of Greater Manchester Police's Rochdale division, said: “I understand this will have caused concern to the community but the device has now been safely dealt with and we do not believe there to be any wider threat.

"We have five people in custody and enquiries are continuing.

"Whilst the device is believed to have been viable, the investigation is being led by Rochdale CID and is not currently being treated as terrorism related.

"I would urge anyone with any information to please get in touch as soon as possible so that we can piece together the circumstances surrounding this discovery."

Firefighters were also called to the incident last night, including crews from Whitefield.

Watch manager Tony Wellock said: "We were called to the incident shortly after 8pm. We were stationed there as a precaution until about 11pm.

"Police were stopping people coming in and out of the area.

"Everyone within the 100m cordon was evacuated.

"There was a controlled explosion at about 10.45pm."

Bomb disposal officers have made an assessment of the device found at a property on Bury Old Road in Heywood.

The device will be safely removed from the area and a controlled explosion will take place.

The cordon remains in place and we thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/65U3EHbm5M

— G M Police (@gmpolice) January 3, 2019

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8437 or 101 quoting incident number 1690 of January 3, 2018.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.