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Armed officers surround factory Armed officers surround factory
(about 1 hour 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 after a man was seen with a suspect package.
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. Police were called to Alfred H Knight on Prescot Road, St Helens, at about 1130 GMT. They described it as a "significant incident".
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. A 300m-cordon has been set up at the scene and Prescot Road had been closed at the junction with Freckleton Road.
A 300m-cordon has been set up around the scene. All employees have been evacuated and fully accounted for.
Police said Prescot Road had been closed at the junction with Freckleton Road and at the junction with Lugsmore Lane. The man is contained in the main office block of the building and negotiators are in direct contact with him.
No-one has been injured and at this point there is no immediate risk to the public in the surrounding area, police said.
The local council has set up a temporary reception centre at Carmel College and a small number of residents have been moved there.
'Get out''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.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.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.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. "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."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.""The premises are a converted house with offices and workshops off the back."