Homes were evacuated and bomb disposal experts called in after a device was found in a village.
Police were called to Peashill Close in Sileby at 3.30pm yesterday and half an hour later began going door to door ordering residents to leave their homes immediately.
An Army bomb squad arrived to deal with the device but at the time of going to press there was no information about what it was.
People living in Peashill Close were also not being told much about what was happening.
Steven Wakefield, 63, said: "It was a bit after 4pm the police came round to ours and said there had been a device found and we'd have to evacuate immediately.
"I'm not sure where they'd found whatever it is. Some people living near the top of the street were let back later so it's probably nothing huge."
Richard Edwards, 71, said: "There was an air field near here during the Second World War so it's possible they've found an unexploded bomb from the war.
"I don't think you'd find many guns or bombs around here otherwise.
"Police only come to this area to do traffic speed checks."
Dave Lawrence, 66, , said: "The police knocked on my door at about 4.30pm and that was the first I'd heard of it.
"I don't know where it they've found something and the police won't tell us anything."
Andy Paling, a Charnwood borough councillor for Sileby, who lives nearby, said: "I've tried to get the police to tell me what's going on but they won't.
"There are a lot of residents down there who are very elderly and are having to stay with friends and family."
The road remained closed for more than five hours.
A police spokeswoman said: "We have an incident in Sileby and we are dealing with it. There are no further updates."
