A WARD councillor for Rooksdown has called on residents to ‘follow police advice’ after officers and a bomb disposal team descended on a residential street.

Residents witnessed police officers and the British Army team arrive on Mailing Way earlier today (Thursday, September 9) and erect a cordon at the corner of Peggs Way and Pumphouse Way.

A British Army spokesperson told The Gazette: "We can confirm that a British Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called to the scene at the request of Hampshire Constabulary.

"It is an ongoing investigation so we would not be able to compromise anything by commenting further."

This isn't the first time bomb disposal has been called to Rooksdown. Back in June 2020, a suspicious device was placed on Gander Drive.

Now, Cllr Simon Bound has said that the Rooksdown Community “stands ready” to act in any way that will support police.

“I think the same applies as the last time that we had the bomb disposal team in Rooksdown - it’s really important as residents that we listen to the police’s advice and follow anything they ask us to do, and I know they will be working closely with the army as well,” he said.

Cllr Bound continued: “Fortunately, the district commander is keeping me in the loop as to what things residents might have to do. There has been absolutely no indication of anything yet, and there may not be, but we stand ready to do anything we need to.

“Rooksdown is a great community and has a strong communication network through the various community Facebook groups, should we need to do something.”