153 homes evacuated after Somerset fraud arrest
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was called in after officers found suspicious substances and items at a property in Worle, Avon and Somerset Police has said.
More than 150 homes in Worle, near Weston-super-Mare, were evacuated on 30 September after officers searching a property in connection with a fraud arrest found suspicious substances and items, Avon and Somerset Police has said.
A 70-year-old man was arrested on 30 September on suspicion of fraud by false representation in Becket Road, Worle, as part of an ongoing investigation into fraud offences, the force said. The arrest itself was unrelated to the items later found.
Officers searching the property located the suspicious substances and items. As a precautionary safety measure, a 100-metre cordon was put in place and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was called to the scene.
A total of 153 properties in and around Becket Road were evacuated as a result. The force did not say what the items were, or how they related to the fraud investigation that had brought officers to the address.
North Somerset Council set up a refuge centre for residents who had nowhere else to stay. It was first established at Castle Batch Children’s Centre, before people were moved to The Campus in Weston-super-Mare overnight.
Police said they were working closely with the council to make sure evacuated residents had suitable support in place, and were kept regularly updated at the refuge centre while the search continued.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit carried out an in-depth search of the property overnight. The items that were identified were tested and destroyed, police said.
The cordon in Becket Road and the surrounding area was lifted on the morning of 1 October, and residents were told they were free to return home at their convenience.
Police said they believed the incident to be isolated. The fraud investigation that led to the arrest was continuing, and no further details of the case were released.