Residents have been evacuated from their homes in Abergwnyfi, Neath Port Talbot, after police received a report of illegal weapons found within a property. A 51-year-old man has been arrested.
Residents have been forced to evacuate their homes in a quiet Welsh village after police deployed a bomb disposal unit to the scene.
Officers descended on a street in Abergwynfi, Neath Port Talbot, following reports that a substantial quantity of illegal weapons had been discovered inside a property. Emergency services have urged the public to avoid the area whilst they manage the ongoing situation.
South Wales Police confirmed a 51-year-old man was taken into custody on Sunday evening, after the alarm was raised at approximately 9.30pm. Stunned residents revealed they were ordered to leave their homes just before 6am this morning.
A substantial multi-agency operation has been witnessed, comprising police officers, paramedics and a bomb disposal robot.
According to official government guidance, bomb disposal robots – formally known as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robots – are remotely controlled devices engineered to detect and safely disable explosive hazards whilst maintaining personnel at a secure distance, reports Wales Online.
A force spokesperson stated: “Officers attended an address on Commercial Street, Abergwynfi, Neath Port Talbot following a report at around 9.30pm yesterday (Sunday, February 15) of a significant number of illegal weapons having been found within the property.
“A 51-year-old man from Blaengwynfi has been arrested. A scene is currently being held at the property whilst searches are carried out with multi-agency support. An increased policing presence will be seen in the area whilst an investigation is ongoing.
“Residents of nearby properties have been evacuated where possible as a safety precaution. Trained partnership agencies are supporting this process. Please avoid the area to allow the emergency services access.”
Traffic monitoring data from the AA indicates congestion on High Street, the principal route leading to Commercial Street, where the cordon has been established.