Police have declared a major incident in Derby and evacuated residents in around 200 homes after two men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences.
Derbyshire Constabulary carried out a search at a property on Vulcan Street, acting on intelligence about materials at the address.
Two men, one in his 40s and another in his 50s, have been detained and remain in custody.
However, the force reassured the public there is no wider risk to the public, adding they are not treating the incident as terrorism.
A total of seven roads have been confirmed as within the evacuation zone, some partially shut and others closed in their entirety.
Those who fled the area should prepare to be out of their properties for 24 hours, officers added.
They asked those who vacated to make contact with officers using Facebook messenger through the main Derbyshire Constabulary page.
Esteban Duda, a teenager who was forced to leave his house on Holcombe Street, told the BBC he was “shocked and surprised” by the incident.
A nearby rest centre, which is run by Derby City Council, has been set up at the Salvation Army.
Locals have been told they “may hear a bang shortly” as part of a controlled explosion by the British Army’s explosive ordnance division.
A Derbyshire Police spokesman added: “Anyone who lives within the affected area is asked to prepare to be out of their homes for 24 hours and make preparations should they need medicines or require pets to be moved from an address.
“The initial rest centre for those affected will be located at the Salvation Army on Osmaston Road and is being run by Derby City Council.
Police have reassured the public there is no wider risk to the public
| PA
“The force is working closely with colleagues from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Derby City Council.
“This is not being investigated as a terrorism incident, there is no wider risk to the community, and the evacuations are a precaution to ensure the safety of those in the area.
“Updates will be placed on our force channels as and when they are able to be shared and these will be placed on the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page and news page of the force website.”
The cordon has been put in place and officers are currently evacuating around 200 properties in the following streets, which are also affected by the following closures:
- Shaftsbury Crescent – in its entirety
- Vulcan Street – in its entirety
- Reeves Road – in its entirety
- Shaftesbury Crescent – in its entirety
- Harrington Street – from Holcombe Street to Vulcan Street
- Baseball Drive – to Colombo Street
- Cambridge Street – at Reeves Road and Shaftesbury Crescent