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St Albans man arrested over war artefacts theft St Albans man arrested over war artefacts theft
(about 4 hours later)
A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing from a former prisoner of war camp. A large haul of World War One and Two hand grenades, rifles, mortar shells, guns and ammunition have been found in a house in Hertfordshire.
An army bomb disposal unit removed items from a property in Windmill Avenue, St Albans in Hertfordshire, on Wednesday, where the man was detained. Bomb disposal teams were called to the scene and nearby homes were evacuated after police found the cache of weapons at the home Windmill Avenue, St Albans.
He is suspected of taking "heritage artefacts" and World War One and Two munitions from protected sites including one in Batford, Harpenden. A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing items from a former prisoner of war camp.
Officers expect to be at the property "for some time".Officers expect to be at the property "for some time".
Det Sgt Pete Frost said officers had found "a museum for World War One and World War Two relics" in the garage at the address. The army bomb disposal unit removed items from a property, where the man was arrested.
He is suspected of taking "heritage artefacts" and WW1 and 2 munitions from protected sites including one in Batford, Harpenden.
Det Sgt Pete Frost said officers found "a museum for World War One and World War Two relics" in the garage at the address.
A police spokesman said the army was establishing the safety of the items but currently there is no danger to the public.A police spokesman said the army was establishing the safety of the items but currently there is no danger to the public.
'Very organised''Very organised'
Windmill Avenue has been closed to vehicles from the junction with Chiltern Road and four homes either side of the property have been evacuated as a safety precaution.Windmill Avenue has been closed to vehicles from the junction with Chiltern Road and four homes either side of the property have been evacuated as a safety precaution.
One of the residents, Linda, who did not want to give her surname, said she had been told to "pack up and be prepared to stay [away] overnight".One of the residents, Linda, who did not want to give her surname, said she had been told to "pack up and be prepared to stay [away] overnight".
"They were very organised and .... very reassuring," she said."They were very organised and .... very reassuring," she said.
According to the Harpenden History website, the No. 95 camp in Batford opened in May 1943 for Italian prisoners and accommodated about 600 men.According to the Harpenden History website, the No. 95 camp in Batford opened in May 1943 for Italian prisoners and accommodated about 600 men.
The Italians were moved out in November 1944 and it became a prisoner of war working camp housing German servicemen with 750 prisoners.The Italians were moved out in November 1944 and it became a prisoner of war working camp housing German servicemen with 750 prisoners.