Man arrested after 'explosives substances' found
BBCA 70-year-old man is in custody after police found guns, drugs and "suspected explosives" while carrying out an arrest for alleged fraud.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) was called to the home on Becket Road in Worle, Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset, at about 14:15 BST on Wednesday.
Avon and Somerset Police set up a 100-metre (328ft) cordon in the area and 153 nearby homes were evacuated whilst the EOD seized and destroyed the items.
Police said the man was further arrested on suspicion of being in possession of explosive substances for unlawful purpose and remains in police custody.
The man was initially arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation as part of an "ongoing investigation", police said.
But upon entering the property, officers located tubs containing "suspected explosives", along with other "suspicious items" which were destroyed by EOD.
A room-by-room search was then conducted and further items were recovered, including firearms, air rifles, and drugs, police said.
The cordon was lifted at about 06:00 on Thursday and residents were allowed to return home.
Supt Jen Appleford said what began as a "routine arrest" quickly developed in a "significant multi-agency response".
"I would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while this complex operation was carried out," she said.
"While we recognise that evacuating your home is significant, it is an essential part of incidents of this nature and EOD are unable to conduct their searches until the cordoned area has been made safe."
She added: "We understand there may be concerns within the community, but we would like to reassure people that there is currently no wider risk to the public and we believe this to be an isolated incident."
Neighbour Emma Williamson said police knocked on her door at about 14:00 on Wednesday to inform her there was a "danger to life" and everyone must leave.
"I had one of my children home from school, so he was freaked out. We didn't know what was going on," she said.
Another neighbour, Damian Watts, said he was advised to grab a coffee or "go for a walk for an hour". He then spent the night at a Airbnb.
Williamson said she had to "battle" to get her animals retrieved from inside the cordon and returned to her.
"Had they have just said from the get-go, 'I don't know how long this is going to be', I'd have been able to take my animals and pack a bag for me and my children and it wouldn't have been so stressful," she said.
Police acknowledged the animals left behind during the evacuation and said: "We appreciate the importance of this but our primary focus is public safety."
They explained the delay in clearing the scene was due to "issues with evacuating individuals from within the cordon", meaning searches did not start until 19:30.
Roads affected by the cordon included Becket Road, Wesley Drive, Courtenay Walk, Becket Drive, Christian Close, The Larches, Cabot Way and Wynter Close.
An overnight rest centre was established at The Campus in Weston-super-Mare for those unable to stay with family and friends.
Police said arrangements were made by the NHS and North Somerset Council to support those who needed additional medical attention.
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