Chorley teenager arrested after homemade bomb found at house as Lancashire Police and British Army evacuate street

Neighbours were evacuated and surrounding roads cordoned off by police when a “suspicious object” was discovered at a home in Kirkstall Close, off Carr Lane, at around 3.40pm on Thursday (May 5).

Some officers donned full body armour as they inspected the device before an Army bomb squad was called to the scene.

Disposal crews inspected the package and found what they believe to be the component parts of a homemade bomb.

A 16-year-old local boy has been arrested on suspicion of an offence under the Explosives Act, as well as possession of a knife.

After further examination, the Army disposal team was satisfied that the device was not viable. The incident was stood down and neighbours allowed to return to their homes at around 8pm .

A police spokesman said: “We were called to an address in Kirkstall Close, Chorley, following reports a suspicious object had been found.

“Officers, including our colleagues from the military, attended and found what are believed to be the component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED).

"However, examinations have revealed that the device was not viable and there was no immediate threat to the public.

“A cordon was established around the address, a small number of nearby properties were evacuated and surrounding roads were closed as a precaution.

"The scene has since been stood down.

“A 16-year-old boy from Chorley has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife/ bladed article and an offence under the Explosives Act.

“He remains in custody at this time.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting log 841 of May 5, 2022.