Bomb squad called to 'neighbour dispute' as 999 crews swarm and street evacuated

Bomb squad called to 'neighbour dispute' as 999 crews swarm and street evacuated Around 40 properties were evacuated in the area of Sawyers Hall Lane in Brentwood, Essex, following an alleged neighbour dispute, as a man and a woman were arrested A bomb squad has been called to reports of an alleged neighbour dispute with a massive cordon put in place and dozens of homes evacuated. The dramatic incident unfolded in Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, as police cars and a bomb disposal van were spotted on the road from 7.30am. Essex Police said officers forced entry to an address. A man and woman were arrested. A search of the address revealed a small number of suspicious items which required specialist assessment, police said. Around 40 homes were evacuated as a precaution during the operation. An Essex Police spokesperson said this afternoon: "We’re continuing to work alongside partners to ensure the safety of residents following the discovery of several suspicious items at an address in Brentwood. "A 100-metre cordon remains in place across much of Sawyers Grove and small parts of Sawyers Hall Lane and Highland Avenue. Around 40 properties are affected, with occupants evacuated as a precaution while Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts safely assess a number of small items. "A man and a woman remain in custody after officers forced entry to an address this morning, Friday 30 October. Residents whose properties are within the exclusion zone can go to a rendezvous point at King George’s Playing Fields Pavilion while the cordon remains in place. "We appreciate the disruption this is causing and thank residents for their patience. We’ll continue to provide updates and hope to have the cordon lifted as soon as possible." The street is located close to Merrymeade Country Park, and there is a pathway leading to the park that has also been cordoned off by officers, Essex Live reports. Some parts of surrounding roads have also been closed.