Around 30 homes have been evacuated after unknown chemicals were found by search teams at a property in Woodbridge.

East Anglian Daily Times: Police at the scene after a house in Bridgewood Road, Woodbridge was cordoned off. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPolice at the scene after a house in Bridgewood Road, Woodbridge was cordoned off. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Police search teams discovered the chemicals late this morning and a 50-metre cordon has been put in place at the property in Bridgewood Road.

The army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team are on the scene and have removed the item from the premises.

Police thanked residents for their patience while investigations continue.

The discovery comes after a father and son appeared in court accused of firearms offences after police executed a warrant at the same address.

East Anglian Daily Times: An officer outside the property in Bridgewood Road, Woodbridge Picture: ARCHANTAn officer outside the property in Bridgewood Road, Woodbridge Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Crispen Richards, 58, and Philip Richards, 24, appeared in custody at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court, via video link from Martlesham Heath police investigation centre, on Monday afternoon.

Both men have been charged with possession of a disguised firearm – namely a walking stick – and possession of a shortened shotgun.

The father and son, of Bridgewood Road, Woodbridge, entered no pleas the charges – the most serious of which – possession of a disguised firearm – can only be dealt with before a judge at crown court.

Registered gun dealer Crispen Richards and his son Philip, a ‘servant’ on the licence, were arrested and taken into custody for questioning following a search of the property on Friday and a licence visit to the same premises the previous day.

East Anglian Daily Times: A tent in front of the property in Bridgewood Road, Woodbridge Picture: ARCHANTA tent in front of the property in Bridgewood Road, Woodbridge Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

On Sunday morning, police confirmed the two men had been charged with possession of a disguised firearm and possession of a shortened shotgun in contravention of section 4(1) of the Firearms Act 1968.

Adrian Dagger, representing the pair, asked magistrates to grant both men bail with conditions to reside and sleep at home, under an electronically monitored curfew, following the conclusion of searches.

Magistrates denied bail and remanded both men in custody until a hearing at Ipswich Crown Court on November 16.

East Anglian Daily Times: A forensics van in Bridgewood Road, Woodbridge Picture: ARCHANTA forensics van in Bridgewood Road, Woodbridge Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Policed remain outside the property in Bridgewood Road. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPoliced remain outside the property in Bridgewood Road. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: A controlled explosion happened at 3pm in Woodbridge after unknown chemicals were discovered in a property in Bridgewood Road. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNA controlled explosion happened at 3pm in Woodbridge after unknown chemicals were discovered in a property in Bridgewood Road. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)