Ashton: Residents forced to flee homes after cops find guns and ‘suspicious chemicals’ inside flat

RESIDENTS have been forced to flee their homes after cops found guns and suspicious chemicals inside a flat.

Officers discovered unidentified substances and firearms while searching a home on Mossley Road, Ashton-Under-Lyne, on Wednesday afternoon.

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Homes in Ashton-Under-Lyne have been evacuated after chemicals and guns were found[/caption]

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Investigators are on the scene analysing the chemicals[/caption]

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Police have asked motorists to avoid the area[/caption]

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms and was taken to custody for questioning where he remains.

Another man, aged 43, was also arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms.

Greater Manchester Police as well as the local fire and rescue service are investigating at the scene to analyse the chemicals.

Residents in nearby flats have been asked to leave their homes as a standard safety precaution while the assessment is carried out.

Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area.

GMPs Chief Inspector Robert MacGregor, said police don’t believe the threat to be widespread.

He said: “Following the discovery of these chemicals this afternoon, we have been working with our colleagues from GMFRS while they carry out the appropriate assessments and this evacuation is purely a precaution.

“I would like to reassure the local community that we don’t believe there to be any wider threat to the public.”

Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact police.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously, quoting log number 2396 of the 16^th November 2022.

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Police don’t believe the threat to be widespread[/caption]

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Police made the discovery while searching a flat in Mossley Road this afternoon[/caption]