A cordon remained in place for about four hours.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Officers attended an address in Newton Abbot, Devon as part of enquires into the suspicious item at North Greenwich Underground Station. “Whilst there, officers found an item they deemed suspicious. Officers evacuated the address and alerted Devon and Cornwall Police.

“Devon and Cornwall Police in conjunction with SO15 are now dealing with the item.”

The house is just yards from the town’s police station on nearby Baker’s Hill.

One resident said: “This is a very quiet street. Where the house was raided there are a number of rented properties. People do come and go.”

Phil Smith, 62, was refereeing a football match at Baker's Park in Newton Abbot when police cleared the pitch.

He said: "I was the referee and we were eight minutes into the match when suddenly a policeman appeared on the touchline and said 'Sorry, you are going to have to stop playing and get out of the park - we want to land some helicopters on the football pitch'.

"He said there was an incident but couldn't say anything about it.

"He proceeded to hustle us all off and then he went to the children's play park and hustled all them out and was trying to get the car park clear as well."