A large haul of World War One and Two rifles, mortar shells, guns, ammunition and hand grenades were discovered at a garage in St Albans yesterday.

Four houses in Windmill Avenue were evacuated after police arrested a 48-year-old man on suspicion of theft from heritage and protected sites – including the former Prisoner Of War camp at Batford in Harpenden.

Hertfordshire Police cordoned off the street as they searched the semi-detached house, outbuildings and garden with army officers and by experts from English Heritage in connection with the theft.

Bomb disposal robots were sent into the house and a bomb squad was forced to blow up artefacts in nearby Nashes Field after discovering the hoard of historic weaponry.

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

An image from inside the garage

Steven Bignell lives a few doors down from the house searched. The 36-year-old who works from home said: “The first we knew about what was going on was all the noise of the police at around 8am.

“I was on the way home and had to park a few roads down due to the police cordon.

“It is very unusual for something like this to happen in our street. I am having trouble getting work done with all the disruption. “This kind of thing could happen anywhere but just when you think you know your neighbours something like this happens.”

Officers suspect the arrested man of illegally metal detecting on sites of historic importance. It is a crime to retrieve artefacts from the ground after finding them with a metal detector if the land is a protected site or without permission of the landowner.

Officers believe the man could have travelled to sites all over Britain and Europe in the search for memorabilia. Hertfordshire Police handed out information leaflets to neighbours and warned them that they should prepare to be evacuated at any time if explosives were discovered in the property. A community centre was on standby on the nearby Jersey Farm Estate for residents moved from their homes.

Speaking outside the house yesterday Detective Sergeant Pete Frost said the garage was “like a museum”.

St Albans Chief Inspector Ken Townsend: “This seizure is on an unprecedented scale and it will be a long process to sort through, identify and remove all the items recovered. It is an extremely large collection. “Although the items seized today are potentially dangerous, there is no danger to members of the public. We have all the necessary experts in place to deal safely with the items recovered.”

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

Forensics experts worked to catalogue the munitions they found, which included bullets and rifles

June Reid lives on the street and said she opened her curtains in the morning to see the street swarming with army and police officers. She said: “This is a street when everyone knows everyone so for something like this to happen it is a shock.

“I don’t know the man arrested but I do know this is a peaceful neighbourhood.

“'It is normally really quiet around here but when I saw soldiers, my immediate thought was it was a bomb.

“It certainly is a different way to start the day.”

English Heritage was one agency involved in the operation – which was the “first of its kind”. National Policing and Crime Adviser Mark Harrison said: "The practice of illegal metal detecting or stealing artefacts from the ground, particularly from conflict sites relating to the First and Second World Wars, is an issue that English Heritage takes very seriously.

"We recognise that the majority of the metal-detecting community comply with the laws and regulations relating to the discovery and recovery of objects from the land. This operation sends out a clear message that we are prepared to take action and do what is necessary, including working alongside the police, to bring those responsible to justice.

"This is the first time that a co-ordinated partnership involving the military, police investigators, finds experts, archaeologists and prosecutors have been used to tackle this form of criminal activity.

“This is particularly poignant with the First World War commemorations taking place.”

Detective Sergeant Pete Frost speaking outside the house in Windmill Avenue

Roger Robinson said he was sleeping when his door was knocked on by police. The 75-year-old said: “I was surprised to open my door and see the police there.

“I am not sure what is going on but obviously am worried about there being bombs nearby.

“It is funny really, the biggest thing to happen around here in the past has been a big swarm of bees.”

The operation involved officers from St Albans Safer Neighbourhood Team, the force’s Rural Operational Support Team, Army EOD, English Heritage, Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, East of England Ambulance Service and St Albans City and District Council.

Residents evacuated yesterday have now returned, and police will remain at the address where the artefacts were seized throughout today.

The man arrested has been released on bail until November 14. Further controlled explosions today may take place today.