More than 150 houses have been evacuated after ‘suspicious substances and items’ were found in a property in Somerset.
The discovery was made at a home on Becket Road, in Worle, near Weston-super-Mare on Wednesday, Avon and Police said.
A 70-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation after the items were uncovered.
Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit were called to the property and items were tested and destroyed.
A total of 153 properties in the area were evacuated and a 100m corden was put in place overnight while an ‘in-depth’ search is carried out at the home.
The force said: ‘Officers have identified some suspicious items which have been tested and destroyed by the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit.
‘We understand there are several residents with concerns for their pets left at home within the cordon. We appreciate the importance of this but our primary focus is public safety.
‘We do believe this to be an isolated incident and searches are continuing.
‘A 70-year-old man remains in police custody.’
North Somerset Council said they had set up a rest centre at The Campus in Weston.
The council said: ‘Anyone who can’t return to their home within the cordoned area, and doesn’t have other accommodation available tonight, should go to The Campus.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.