Sharnbrook house explosion investigated by counter terror police

Emergency services have been at Loring Road in Sharnbrook since Monday evening

Counter terrorism police have been deployed to the aftermath of a small explosion at a house.

Emergency services were called to the property in Loring Road in Sharnbrook following the incident at about 19:40 BST on Monday.

Bedfordshire Police said a man in his 40s was taken to hospital with "life-changing" injuries and was later arrested.

Three neighbouring homes were evacuated as a "precaution", the force said.

A specialist explosive ordnance disposal team has led on searches at the house but detectives on Wednesday said the UK's Counter Terrorism Policing had deployed resources to "help establish the full circumstances".

The road was cordoned off as the bomb squad and police examined the home

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosive Substances Act but Bedfordshire Police, which is leading the investigation, said it had not interviewed him due to his treatment.

Det Supt Will Hodgkinson, from Bedfordshire Police, said: "Incidents of this nature are understandably of great concern to local communities and I wish to thank everyone for their patience, cooperation and understanding.

"This is especially true of those residents who have had to move elsewhere while we carry out our inquiries.

"While our investigation remains at an early stage and we are keeping an open mind, this is believed to be an isolated incident with no risk to the wider public."

He said an emergency service presence would remain at the scene for the rest of the week.