Item which sparked bomb scare and saw 80 homes evacuated in Denton was a homemade taser

A homemade taser sparked a bomb scare which saw dozens of residents in Tameside evacuated.

The bomb squad were called after emergency services were alerted to the suspicious item found in a rucksack on St Anne's Road in Denton on Monday evening.

The town's MP said initial reports described it as a "pipe bomb."

Police, paramedics and fire crews all attended after the alarm was raised around 4:45pm and a 200 metre cordon was put in place around it.

Residents in around 80 nearby homes, on the streets surrounding Jet Amber Fields near the border with Hyde, were also evacuated.

A 200 metre cordon was put in place and around 80 homes evacuated (STEVE ALLEN)

Following an assessment by the bomb disposal unit it was found not to be viable device.

A statement issued by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) today said: "Further enquiries have established the item was a homemade Taser."

No arrests have yet been made and enquiries into the incident are ongoing, they added.

Police, paramedics and fire crews were all on the scene (STEVE ALLEN)

Inspector Toby Knight, from GMP's Tameside division, said: "I want to thank the public for their cooperation yesterday while specialist officers attended the scene to ensure there was no perceived threat to anyone in the area.

"Our priority is to ensure the safety of the community and we will do all we can to maintain that.

"Thankfully it transpired upon further inspection that the item was not viable and that there is no risk to the public, and officers were able to swiftly remove the scene and allow those who had been evacuated to return to their homes with the minimum amount of disruption possible."

The device - found not to be viable - was a homemade taser police say (STEVE ALLEN)

Residents were allowed back into their homes around 7:30pm.

MP Andrew Gwynne, who lives in the area, said in a post on his Facebook page: "The bomb disposal unit has fully investigated and confirmed it is NOT an unexploded device (it had been thought to be a pipe bomb).

"A controlled explosion was unnecessary.

"All residents are now allowed to go back home and the cordon is lifted.

"I’d like to say a BIG thank you to all the emergency services, the bomb disposal unit and Tameside Council for their efforts to keep people safe tonight.

"At a time when they’re stretched with COVID enforcement and other issues, it’s greatly appreciated."