Man held after explosives find

Published on 8th November 2007 in News

A Goole man remains in custody following the discovery of potentially explosive material in a flat in Goole.

As the Goole Times reported exclusively last week, an area around the flat at the junction of Pasture Road and Fourth Avenue, above Bottomley's Butchers, was cordoned off after police discovered potentially explosive material there.

A bomb disposal squad was called in and removed items from inside.

A 31-year-old man from Goole was initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act last Wednesday, and subsequently on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act.

He was released without charge on Monday.

A second man, also 31 and from Goole, was arrested at around 1.30am on Saturday in Dundee on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act. He was taken to a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning by the Counter Terrorism Unit in Leeds. As we went to press, he was still being questioned.

As part of the operation, police searched a house in Selby and seized documents.

After the police, who were called to Fourth Avenue about an unrelated incident, discovered the materials they evacuated nearby people from their homes and businesses.

Richard Cowell, of Bottomley's Butchers, was asked to close his shop. "They allowed me back in about 4.30pm," he said. "We just had to work with the police.

"We were trading as normal on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the police finished off this morning [Monday]. They took the cordon down and boarded up the flat. It's nice to get back to normal."

Of the occupants of the flat, he said: "They seemed like nice lads."

Jo Bell and George Blacker, of Scootermart Mobility Centres on Pasture Road, were not evacuated but saw the police going into the flat opposite their shop.

"I could see them looking and examining things in the flat," said Mr Blacker.

Both men said they did not know the occupiers, who "kept themselves to themselves'.

People in Goole have expressed their surprise at what happened.

The Mayor of Goole, Cllr Jean Kitchen, said: "I was very surprised. You always think something like that isn't going to happen in a place like Goole.

"I don't think people have panicked over it but it's made people a bit wary."

Humberside Police have assured people that the flat presents no risk to local residents.

Chief Superintendent Pat Geenty, Divisional Commander for the East Riding of Yorkshire, said: "I recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of this arrest and our Neighbourhood Policing Team will be out in the area as usual to speak to anyone who may have concerns.

'Local police officers are meeting with representatives of all sections of the community to keep them as informed as we can about the investigation. We value their support whilst inquiries continue.

"We would ask people to remain alert and vigilant but not to be alarmed, and we are grateful for the assistance, support and understanding of people locally."

A meeting was organised last Thursday afternoon to update shopkeepers and councillors on proceedings.