A Nantwich man has been charged with multiple serious offences after Cheshire Police uncovered a suspected "improvised explosive device" at his address, with local residents evacuated as a precaution.

On Friday 8 May, police arrested two men, aged 47 and 39, following reports of dangerous driving on Edleston Road in Crewe.

While the men were in custody, officers conducted a search of an address at Cronkinson Oak in Nantwich.

During the search police found what was believed to be a small improvised explosive device, which was assessed and deemed safe by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

During this assessment, a number of Nantwich properties were evacuated, with a police cordon put in place.

The 47-year-old man, Ian Mitchell, of Cronkinson Oak, Nantwich, has since been charged with a vehicle driver reach Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place and failure to provide specimen for analysis.

Mitchell is set to appear at Crewe Magistrates' Court on 4 February, 2027.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson told Nub News: "At around 3am on Friday 8 May, two men, aged 39 and 47, were arrested following reports of dangerous driving near to Edleston Road, Crewe.

"While the men were in custody, officers conducted a search of an address on Cronkinson Oak, Nantwich.

"During the search, officers discovered what was believed to be a small improvised explosive device.

"The device has since been assessed by EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and deemed safe.

"As a result of the incident, a number of properties in the local area were evacuated and a police cordon was put in place as a precautionary measure.

"Ian Mitchell, 47, of Cronkinson Oak, Nantwich, has since been charged with a vehicle driver reach Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and failure to provide specimen for analysis.

"He has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.

"Mitchell is set to appear at Crewe Magisrates' Court on 4 February 2027.

"The 39-year-old man has been released pending further enquiries."