Suspected drugs lab raid leads to more than 100 homes evacuated and six arrests in Cheshire

Six people have been arrested in a raid of a suspected drugs den, in which a number of "controlled substances" were found.

The raid, which involved the bomb squad, led to the evacuation of 110 homes on a housing estate in Knutsford.

At around 7am on Monday 27 November, officers from Cheshire Police conducted a warrant in the Longridge area.

As part of their search, a 100-metre cordon was put in place and the bomb squad was joined by firefighters and paramedics after a number of substances were found at an address.

A number of substances were found in the address and five men, aged 23, 24, 24, 29 and 58, along with a 22-year-old woman, were all arrested on suspicion of production of a controlled substance.

Those living inside the cordon spoke of their shock as police banged on their doors and told them they would need to leave.

Retired former soldier Mike Williamson, 67, said officers called at his home nearby at around 10am and told him they were evacuating everyone in the immediate area because "explosives had been found in one of the houses."Mike, who spent seven years in the forces including spending time in Northern Ireland in the 1970s, said: "I was used to seeing the bomb disposal unit but you don’t expect to them on your street in Knutsford on a Monday morning.

"The police are round here quite often and always seem to be raiding somewhere, but this is a bit different."

Fire and ambulance were called to the scene and a 100-metre cordon wasnput in place as a precautionary measure.

Bomb disposal experts were also in attendance to help establish the nature of the substances found.

Following assessment, the bomb squad confirmed that it was safe for residents to return homes and the cordon was lifted at around 4.50pm.

Officers remain in attendance to provide reassurance to local residents.