Homes and businesses evacuated as ‘grenade’ found in car with army bomb disposal unit rushing to the scene

A possible grenade has been discovered in the boot of a car, with nearby homes and businesses evacuated.

At around 1.10pm, police received a report of a possible explosive device in Strand Road, Bootle in Merseyside.

Merseyside Police confirmed a cordon was in place and several homes and businesses had been evacuated as a precaution.

There are also several bus diversions in place due to the ongoing incident. These include Arriva’s 47, 52, 52A, 53, 54, 55, 62 and 300 service.

A spokesperson from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: “Fire crews are currently supporting Merseyside Police at an incident on Strand Road, Bootle, with two fire engines in attendance.

“Crews were alerted at 1.36pm and on scene at 1.45pm. Fire crews are liaising with police colleagues at an outer cordon- the incident is ongoing.”

One resident, who lives opposite the cordon, told Liverpool Echo: “I heard they found a grenade in the boot of someone’s car.

“There is a massive square car park round the back of the Beaconsfield and they’ve found it in there…It’s quite scary, imagine if it went off, it can happen.”

An eyewitness reports an officer from the army disposal squad has changed into a “bomb suit” at the scene.

More to come…