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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Suspicious device found in car in Luton 'not viable' | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A suspicious device found in a car in Luton has been deemed "not viable" by a bomb disposal team. | |
| Police were called to Brook Street at about 07:20 GMT to reports of concern for a man in a vehicle. | |
| Officers found a suspicious device in the car in Dunstable Road and the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team was called, Bedfordshire Police said. | |
| A second car is now being checked and two men have been arrested for explosives related offences. | |
| The force said one man was arrested at the scene and a second man was arrested shortly afterwards in Brook Street, both on suspicion of offences committed under the explosives act. | |
| Homes and businesses were evacuated and roads closed in the Bury Park area after the device was found and people were advised to avoid the area. | |
| Supt Jaki Whittred said it was a "complex investigation" and officers remained in the area while the force worked to establish the circumstances which led to the device being found. | |
| "I understand that this is concerning for local residents in Luton but I'd like to reassure you that our officers, EOD specialists, and a number of our partner agencies are working closely together to ensure the safety of the public," she said. | |
| "Brook Street and Dunstable Road remain closed as a result of this and I'd like to thank residents and business owners in the vicinity for their patience with this." | |
| One local shop owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he had been ordered not to open his business. | |
| "It's a big shock," he said. | "It's a big shock," he said. |
| "You don't expect to come out in the morning and not open your business." | "You don't expect to come out in the morning and not open your business." |
| Chaul End Community Centre has opened as a reception centre for the 50 people evacuated, Luton Borough Council said. | Chaul End Community Centre has opened as a reception centre for the 50 people evacuated, Luton Borough Council said. |
| At the scene | At the scene |
| By Toby Friedner, BBC Three Counties Radio | By Toby Friedner, BBC Three Counties Radio |
| I am standing next to Nadeem Plaza, which is one end of the cordon in the Bury Park area of Luton, where I can see half a dozen police vehicles and a number of police officers. | I am standing next to Nadeem Plaza, which is one end of the cordon in the Bury Park area of Luton, where I can see half a dozen police vehicles and a number of police officers. |
| About 200 yards down Dunstable Road I can see the robot that the bomb disposal units use to disarm suspect devices. | About 200 yards down Dunstable Road I can see the robot that the bomb disposal units use to disarm suspect devices. |
| It is at the back of a car that has got its boot open next to a bookmaker on Dunstable Road. | It is at the back of a car that has got its boot open next to a bookmaker on Dunstable Road. |
| The road is completely clear and there is a cordon at either end. There are a number of people watching the activity. | The road is completely clear and there is a cordon at either end. There are a number of people watching the activity. |
| Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk | Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk |