Tamworth arrests made as bomb squad called in

A TAMWORTH man and a teenager have been charged with possessing homemade gun powder after a suspicious package was discovered at a Glascote petrol station.

Drama unfolded on Monday when the town's police station was evacuated as bomb disposal experts investigated the package's contents, while officers sealed off the S R Tomson and Son BP Garage and the bomb squad searched an Amington home.

Brought before Tamworth magistrates' yesterday (Wednesday), Jonathan Cunningham (27), of Greenheart and a teenager from the Tamworth area, who cannot be named because of his age, were refused bail and were remanded in custody.

Officers were called to an address in Greenheart, Amington, on Saturday night and searches continued at the home until Tuesday.

One concerned Greenheart resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "First we saw vans and then we saw bomb disposal teams."

At 4.30pm on Monday a suspicious package was found under a waste oil tank at S R Tomson and Son Garage and was handed to police.

The area surrounding the garage in Glascote Road was cordoned off while further searches were carried out overnight and into Tuesday morning.

The package was taken to the police station in Spinning School Lane to be investigated.

Inspector Emma Griffiths, from Tamworth police, said no member of the public was at risk at that time and the station was re-opened soon after.

She said: "We'd like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience and co-operation while we investigate this unusual incident.

"Enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal for anyone with information to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455, quoting incident number 472 of February 1, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."

Sergeant Garry Sirrell said: "A teenager was arrested for offences under the Explosives Act.

"He was arrested following the discovery of a mixture of chemicals and other materials."

* Due to legal restrictions for ongoing court cases we have suspended the comment facility on this story.

Both defendants are due to appear at Stafford Crown Court next Friday (February 12, 2010).