Search for further explosives as more IEDs found in St Helens home

Police are continuing to search a man’s house after a hoard of explosives was found there following his death.

Merseyside Police found “explosive ordnance” at the home of 64-year-old John Nelson on Chadwick Road, St Helens on Tuesday, with more than 200 homes nearby evacuated.

Further improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have since been found and the force said there was “an ongoing concern” that more homemade explosive devices could be discovered, which was a “significant risk” to the local community.

Supt Peter Clark said public safety was their key priority and residents were unable to return to their homes yet.

“We know that a lot of those people and families displaced will be frustrated,” he said.

“But I can reassure them that the cordon will remain in place until we are all satisfied that the house and garden have been fully searched and any potential risks to the public negated.”

He said everyone was “working expeditiously” to finalise the search of the property, but as a result of further IEDs and other items found within the house and the garden on Thursday they were unable to reduce the cordon yet.

Some of the ordnance found in the home of the “reclusive” wartime memorabilia collector is believed to date back to World War Two.

It included devices and detonators which officers feared could explode.

A bomb disposal team has carried out a series of safe detonations in a nearby field.

Merseyside Police said they believed that Mr Nelson’s father was in the Home Guard.

Many of the evacuated residents from Chadwick Road and surrounding streets have been staying with family and friends.

Chain Lane Community Centre has also been opened to help anyone trying to find temporary accommodation.

Supt Clark said a further update would be issued later and “hopefully by then we will be in a better position to consider reduction of the cordon”.