Residents were evacuated as bomb disposal teams removed “several items” from a property in Oldham on Sunday (April 26).
It happened on Chew Brook Drive in the Greenfield area where a cordon was put in place and homes were evacuated as a precaution shortly before noon. The Women’s 1st XI match at nearby Greenfield Cricket Club was suspended with spectators told not to attend.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed “several items” were later removed from a property by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit and sent off for assessment as residents were able to return home. No further details about the items in question have been confirmed, the Manchester Evening News reported.
Chief Inspector Ian Partington, of GMP, said: “We would like to thank residents for their patience and co-operation today while we carried out our investigations alongside partners at the EOD and the fire service.”
Greenfield Cricket Club wrote in an online statement: “Due to an ongoing incident on Chew Brook Drive there is currently an 100m exclusion zone in place. Emergency services currently in attendance.
“As such today’s match has been postponed and the police have instructed the public not to attend the cricket ground and park. In the meantime we will use our socials to provide updates. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service crews were also in attendance and “worked closely with police, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams and other agencies to ensure public safety”.
A 100m exclusion zone was put in place while emergency services were at the scene. The incident was ongoing for around four hours and the cordon was lifted at around 4pm