Homes again evacuated as 'bomb factory' cleared

Households around a so-called bomb factory in Leeds were evacuated for a second time today.

People living near the flat in Alexandra Grove, in the Burley area of the city, were told to leave their homes while police “disposed” of “substances” found in the property.

Those affected had already spent two days away from their houses last week after police found dangerous substances in the flat and evacuated up to 600 people.

Police said today’s evacuation was on a smaller scale and only lasted a few hours this afternoon.

Residents were given a letter from West Yorkshire Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn which said: “The search of the premises has been methodical and meticulous and we are now at a point where the substances found need to be disposed of in a safe and controlled way.

“Please do not be alarmed. To ensure yoursafety, it is now necessary to ask you, later today, to once again leave your home for a short time, to allow these substances to be disposed of.”

Mr Cramphorn went on: “We appreciate the concern and inconvenience that recent events have caused local people, but would like to stress that public safety has been of paramount importance in the decisions we have taken.”

Earlier this week a security source said it appeared that home-made explosives had been found at an address in Leeds – thought to be the flat in Alexandra Grove.

However, the source said police were still carrying out tests to establish its exact make-up and to see whether there was any link to the substance used by the four July 7 bombers