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Armed officers surround factory Armed officers surround factory
(about 2 hours later)
Armed officers are outside a Merseyside factory dealing with what police have described as a "significant incident".Armed officers are outside a Merseyside factory dealing with what police have described as a "significant incident".
Police were called to Alfred H Knight on Prescot Road, St Helens, just after 1130 GMT after a suspicious individual was seen on the premises. Police were called to Alfred H Knight on Prescot Road, St Helens, at about 1130 GMT after a suspicious individual was seen on the premises.
Houses near the scene were evacuated and residents further down the street were told to stay indoors.Houses near the scene were evacuated and residents further down the street were told to stay indoors.
One resident told BBC Radio Merseyside officers had told him to move to the back of his house.One resident told BBC Radio Merseyside officers had told him to move to the back of his house.
A 300m cordon has been set up around the scene. A 300m-cordon has been set up around the scene.
No further details are known at this stage but a spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service said they were called to the area just before midday. Police said Prescot Road had been closed at the junction with Freckleton Road and at the junction with Lugsmore Lane.
Fire crews are also believed to be at the scene. 'Get out'
A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service said they were called to the area just before midday and fire crews are also understood to be at the scene.
Alfred H. Knight was established more than 120 years ago and analyses metals and minerals.
Dean Kidman, an employee of nearby Applied Fusion, explained officers gave them no warning about having to leave the premises.
"The police just appeared and said 'Get out'," he said.
"We work about 150 yards away from Knight's so just got out of the premises - about 15 of us.
"The premises are a converted house with offices and workshops off the back."