A bomb squad has been rushed to a seaside town, and 160 families were evacuated from their homes after a mysterious ‘liquid’ was found at a home.
Officers rushed to the scene in Eastbourne, East Sussex, just before 5.30pm yesterday after a bottle was found by contractors clearing the house, which was being used by the homeless.
Sussex Police said 160 would be evacuated as part of the first phase of clearing the area around the house.
All the businesses and homes along Grove Road, where the main police station is, have also been cleared.
Locals in the south coast town were being directed to the Town Hall, where a reception centre has been set up.
Eastbourne Town Hall handles births, deaths and marriage in East Sussex and wedding parties and new parents were still arriving as the bomb squad made their preparations down the street.
An 85m cordon around the house is in place and affects those living on Hyde Road, Camden Road, Calverley Road, West Terrace, Bath Road and Grove Road.
Chief Inspector Simon Yates said the liquid will be sent for analysis following a control explosion.
The clear liquid is described as stable and was found in an unusual position inside the address.
No arrests have been made and nobody has been detained.
Ch Insp Yates said: ‘Nothing we have found suggests any link to terror.’
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’.
Chief Inspector Simon Yates said: ‘Public safety is our priority, and I would like to thank residents, businesses and the wider community for their support and patience while we take these necessary precautionary actions.
‘Once the safety cordon in place, EOD will attend and manage the safe disposal of the item.
‘We will allow residents to return to their homes as soon as it is safe for them to do so.
‘A search of the property where the bottle was found has been completed and no other items of concern have been identified.
‘This incident is not believed to be linked to any other incidents in the area.
‘We appreciate your support and are working hard with partners to minimise disruption while we bring this incident to a safe conclusion.’
Police said there was no immediate risk to the public and the evacuation took place during the day to avoid as much disruption as possible.
Detective Superintendent Jon Robeson had previously 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.’
