A High Wycombe resident has described the huge police presence along Desborough Avenue as ‘incredibly scary’ as members of the area were told to vacate the area.

In the morning of Sunday, December 1, officers from Thames Valley Police, firefighters from Bucks Fire and Rescue along with a South Central Ambulance all descended to that section of the town after a report was made that a ‘suspicious substance’ was in the area.

A large section of the road was cordoned off with those living in the area being told to ‘keep their windows and doors shut’.

The police reopened the road later that afternoon but remained at the scene until Monday, December 2.

Thames Valley Police has confirmed that ‘no substances of concern were located at the property’ but have not disclosed what they were looking for. 

A member of the public who saw the emergency services along Desborough Avenue told the Free Press that he was ‘shocked’ to see a large amount of police cars, fire engines and ambulances.

The gentleman, who has asked to remain anonymous, said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing as it’s the last thing you’d expect to see on a Sunday.

“We saw so many police cars and these aren’t the normal ones you see on the road.

“These were the CIU (Crime Investigation Unit) cars and seeing it first hand, it was incredibly scary.

“We were being told to go inside and keep our windows and doors shut as there was a ‘substance’ but that’s all we were told.

“There was no clear message of what was happening, and I think as a resident, we should have a right to know what they were searching for.

“Several kids were scared because they didn’t know what was going on and it was a real shake-up.

“It was very scary and on the day, we wanted clarity.”

After several hours of investigations, Desborough Avenue was later reopened but officers from Thames Valley Police remained at the scene.

They later confirmed that ‘there was no wider risk to the public’.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Superintendent Euan Livingstone from the Buckinghamshire Local Command Unit would like to thank the local community for their patience whilst we dealt with this.”

A brief statement from Bucks Fire and Rescue read: “Five appliances and crews attended (two from High Wycombe, two from Whitley Wood, one from Bicester), along with five officers.

“Firefighters were called to support and assist Thames Valley Police.

“South Central Ambulance Service also attended.

“The incident was left in the hands of Thames Valley Police.”

We have asked Thames Valley Police what substance they were looking for along Desborough Avenue.