Over 160 families have been evacuated by police after a mysterious ‘liquid’ was found in a seaside town.
Bomb squad officers rushed to the scene in Eastbourne, East Sussex, just before 5.30pm.
The liquid was found in a bottle in one of the houses.
Residents were visited by police and were asked to stay home while the area was cordoned off.
But now preparations are taking place to evacuate neighbours from their homes this morning.
Police say the item is ‘secure’ and the road is closed as well.
Those living on Hyde Road, Camden Road, Calverley Road, West Terrace, Bath Road and Grove Road have been urged to leave their addresses by 9am.
Police believe there is no immediate risk to the public and the evacuation can take place during the day to avoid as much disruption as possible.
Residents who were evacuated from their homes have spoken to MailOnline about the incident.
Tracy Westlake, 55, lives next door to the house where the suspect package was found described a smell coming from the property.
She said a leaking package wrapped in brown tape with something written on was taken from the house.
She said: ‘The house is in a right state. The police tapped on my door this morning and asked me to leave. You can still smell whatever it was that was leaking from the package. You see lots of people coming in and out all the time. At least ten people.’
Police are still searching the house.
Eastbourne Borough Council said its officers are ‘working closely with partner agencies and are currently arranging rest centre accommodation if required’.
Detective Superintendent Jon Robeson said: ‘Our priority is to keep people safe. We are satisfied that there is no immediate risk to residents, and an evacuation of nearby homes can be completed safely and effectively during daylight hours to minimise impact on the local residents.
‘We will have a number of uniformed officers present on Tuesday morning to assist with the planned evacuation and offer further advice.
‘We would encourage residents of Hyde Road, Camden Road, Calverley Road, West Terrace, Bath Road and Grove Road to leave their addresses by 9am.
‘We appreciate the support of residents and the wider community who will be affected by the necessary precautionary actions we need to take, and hopefully they will be able to swiftly return to their homes.
‘I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding while we bring this incident to a safe conclusion.
‘The item is secure and the road closed, and a number of police will be present to provide reassurance as we work with emergency services and other partner agencies to minimise disruption.
‘Public safety is our priority, and the cordon will take in around 160 homes. We will allow residents to return to their homes as soon as it is safe for them to do so.’
