Residents have criticised police for their “secrecy” during an incident which saw the bomb squad called to their quiet Perthshire street.
Explosive experts were called to Whiteloch Avenue, Blairgowrie, on Saturday evening after police had attended the property in relation to a separate matter.
A cordon was placed across the street, with residents unable to get in or out of their homes.
Police have refused to disclose the nature of the find but it’s understood it was originally thought to be a sea mine, though Navy experts later confirmed it was not an explosive.
Despite police trying to downplay the find, saying it did not pose a threat, locals have criticised the lack of information.
One elderly resident, who did not want to be named, said officers had had little contact with residents during the incident or since.
He said: “The police have been very secretive about it, which I would have thought would have made people more scared.
“I did not know what was going on – the only contact I had with the police was a lady coming to say the road would be cleared in an hour.”
Another added: “The police were here until yesterday but they told us nothing. The problem is that means people are adding arms and legs to it.”
Another said: “I didn’t see anything as I was at work, but I came back and there was a cordon. Police have been on 24-hour surveillance over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
“They told us it was nothing to worry about and there was no threat, but we’d rather know what it was.”
It is understood that the female resident has lived in the street for a number of years but there was no sign of her at home on Wednesday afternoon.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that while conducting inquiries at an address in the Carsie area of Blairgowrie, officers came across an item requiring further investigation.
“Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) attended along with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, whereby it was found the item posed no threat.
“A cordon was put in place for a number of hours while the incident was dealt with but has since been removed.
“Officers investigating would like to thank the public for their co-operation while this incident was dealt with. There was no threat to the wider public at any point.
“Police Scotland would also like to thank the local community for their patience while inquiries were carried out in the area.”
She added that a woman has since been charged in relation to the matter which first brought them to the property.