Man arrested as suspicious item 'made safe'

A cordon was in place around a property in Lingmoor Street in Leeds on Sunday morning

A man has been arrested and residents have been asked to return to their homes after a suspicious item found in a house in Leeds was "made safe".

A 62-year-old man was arrested at the house on Friday and then rearrested on Sunday on suspicion of possessing an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose and remains in police custody.

Police said potentially suspicious chemicals were found at the house on Lingmoor Street, Osmondthorpe, on Friday with officers working at the scene throughout the weekend.

On Sunday evening, the suspicious item had been "made safe", said police, but officers remained at the scene.

West Yorkshire Police said "specialist support services" had attended the house to assess the item, which was discovered on Sunday morning.

A cordon was placed around the property and was widened on Sunday morning, requiring evacuation of some neighbouring homes.

The cordoned off area was reduced on Sunday evening and police invited affected residents back to their homes.

A police spokesperson said: "The expanded cordon was put in place purely as a precaution and is normal procedure in such situations."

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