A quiet residential street in Costessey has been thrust into the spotlight today after it has become the focal point of a major police investigation following 'historic' allegations.

A tent has been installed in the front garden of the bungalow in Olive Road as forensic teams carry out searches - both inside and outside the property, including the rear garden - as part of an on-going investigation.

Specially trained officers yesterday searched inside and outside the property, including the garden areas, in the hunt for clues in relation to the investigation which is believed to have started about three months ago.

Police would not reveal the exact nature of the 'sensitive' matter but said it was not a murder inquiry, cold case, either locally or nationally, and was not linked to any pre-existing high profile case.

Between 20 and 30 officers are expected to be involved in the searches of the semi-detached property which started yesterday and could last up to three days.

Two men, aged in their 60s and from the Norwich area, were arrested yesterday morning in connection with the allegations which are believed to be of a historic nature.

Detective Chief Inspector Ross McDermott said: 'As part of a wider investigation into allegations of an historic nature, we have received information requiring us to make detailed searches at this address.

'The inquiry is highly sensitive and, for operational reasons, we cannot give any further details at this time.

'However, we can confirm that this is not connected to any current cold case enquiries locally or nationally and is not a murder or suspicious death investigation.'

Det Ch Insp McDermott said the searches of the bungalow, off Valley Road, were just part of a number of activities going on as part of the inquiry, although was not able to go into detail about other aspects of the investigation.

He said: 'Today's work is the culmination of a number of lines of inquiry. It's not the only aspect of the investigation which is ongoing.

'It concerns allegations of offending between the 1970s and 1990s. We've compelling evidence that we should be here today and we should be conducting a search of this address for forensic evidence and items brought to our attention as part of our inquiries.'

In addition to the tent that has gone up in the front garden, skips were also brought to the search site to remove rubbish, including a rusty old television, and other vegetation which was being cleared.

A number of police units will be seen at the address over the coming days including specialist search trained police officers and Crime Scene Investigators.

Det Chf Insp McDermott said: 'The police activity will inevitably create some concern locally and both detectives and local uniformed officers will be in the local area to answer any queries and to offer reassurance.'

Anyone with concerns about the activity should call Norfolk Police on 101.

Have you got a crime story? Email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk