More 'suspicious powder' found at Anfield house linked to St Helens human remains probe as homes evacuated
Police evacuated an Anfield street after discovering more 'suspicious powder' at a house connected to a human remains investigation in St Helens.
Residents living on a road in Anfield had to evacuate their homes for the second time after police uncovered several bags of ‘suspicious’ powder.
Douglas Road was closed at around 2.30pm on Sunday (February 1) after Merseyside Police officers conducting a forensic examination inside a house located a quantity of white powder.
The force said the enquiries were in connection with an ongoing investigation into the discovery of human remains in St Helens.
A number of houses adjacent to the property were evacuated as a precaution while the substance was removed from the property. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended, removed the powder and it was taken to open land for a controlled explosion to be carried out.
Investigations at the house on Douglas Road are ongoing, with further bags of powder discovered at around 1.45pm on Monday (February 2).
The road was temporarily closed and a number of houses surrounded the property were evacuated as a precaution. Members of the public were advised to avoid the area.
At around 6.30pm, Merseyside Police confirmed that the cordon had been lifted, with the substance safely removed by the EOD team. Following tests, it was determined that a controlled explosion was not required and the powder was safely disposed of.
In a statement on Monday, Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “Residents who were evacuated for their own safety have now been allowed to return. We would like to thank them for their patience while emergency services dealt with the incident.
“We don’t take a decision to evacuate residents lightly and we appreciate it must be difficult for those affected, particularly if children or elderly residents live in the house.
“We are under no illusion as to how disruptive the last two days would have been to residents. However, the safety of the public is paramount and we will always take the necessary action to protect our communities.”
Merseyside Police said the enquiries on Douglas Road are connected with an investigation into the discovery of human remains in a flat in St Helens.
At around 11.30pm on January 8, Merseyside Police received a report of a concern for safety and following enquiries, officers located human remains inside a flat in Gerards Court.
George Gordon, 65, of Gerards Court, in St Helens, was arrested at the scene and later charged with preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body and obstructing a coroner in the execution of his/her duty.
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He appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court on January 12, and was remanded into custody until a scheduled plea hearing on February 9.
As part of the ongoing investigation, a 58-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said the force will continue to search the premises on Douglas Road “until we are satisfied all evidential opportunities have been captured”.