Reports of explosion at Surrey farm as officers continue to investigate Croydon police shooting

Police have descended on a Surrey farm, following reports from neighbours of an explosion in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The activity at Courtlands Farm in Banstead is thought to be related to the ongoing investigation into the death of Sergeant Matt Ratana.

One neighbour said: “There was some comings and goings, mainly at night. We could hear because (the owners of the property) have got a really loud padlock on their gate.

“The blast was at 5.40am and woke up our little boy and we sent him back to bed, but what we’ve heard from other neighbours there was about 20-odd police and they were lined down the driveway.”

Asked about police activity on Sunday, he added: “There’s been loads of police going in and out.

“There’s probably something significant down there otherwise they would’ve been gone already.”

It comes after a man was arrested in Norwich, Norfolk, on suspicion of supplying a firearm, police investigating the murder of Sgt Ratana said.

Scotland Yard said the man had been arrested at around 2am on Sunday and was in custody at a South London police station.

A spokesman added that officers had still not been able to speak to the man suspected of Sgt Ratana’s murder because he remains in a critical condition in hospital.

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