Bomb disposal team called to property and residents evacuated following arrest of a man.
From Avon & Somerset Police:
As part of an ongoing investigation into fraud offences, officers arrested a man, aged 70, on suspicion of fraud by false representation in Becket Road, in Worle near Weston-super-Mare, on Wednesday 30 September.
During searches of the property, some suspicious substances and items were located.
As a precautionary safety measure, a 100m cordon has been put in place and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit is enroute to the scene.
A number of properties within the cordon have been evacuated and we are working with colleagues at the local authority to find a suitable location for those who have been displaced.
We will provide updates as they become available.
UPDATE – 19.30pm: Following a delay due to evacuation efforts, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit have arrived in Becket Road and are conducting enquiries within an address.
UPDATE – 9pm: A total of 153 properties have been displaced in and around Becket Road, in Worle.
We are working closely with colleagues at North Somerset Council to ensure those evacuated have suitable support in place and are kept regularly updated at the refuge centre.
We are grateful to residents understanding and patience at this time and we are working hard and at pace to try and resolve this issue as quickly and as safely as possible.
Anyone who is residing with family or friends are asked to continue to follow this page or our X account @ASPolice for updates.
UPDATE – 22.00pm: Searches of an address in Becket Road, in Worle, have been taking place over the past few hours. During this time, officers have identified some suspicious items which have been tested and destroyed by the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit.
Searches are ongoing and the cordon remains in place.
UPDATE – 23.20pm: We recognise the delay there has been in-between updates and we have endeavoured to provide any information as it has become available to us.
We have now had confirmation from the EOD that the 100m cordon must remain in place overnight while an in-depth search is carried out of the property.
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.
The rest centre has now been relocated to The Campus in Weston-super-Mare and arrangements are being made by NHS and council colleagues to support those who require additional medical attention.
We do believe this to be an isolated incident and searches are continuing.
A 70-year-old man remains in police custody.
We will endeavour to provide a further update tomorrow morning.
UPDATE – 6.45am (Thursday 1 October): The cordon in Becket Road, and the surrounding area, has now been lifted and residents are free to return home at their convenience.
From all of us at Avon and Somerset Police, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the displaced residents, their friends and family for their patience and understanding.
We would also like to recognise some businesses who offered support and food to those who had been impacted by the cordon.
We will endeavour to provide a fuller update today.
