A 70-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation after suspicious substances and items were discovered at a property in Worle, Somerset, prompting the evacuation of 153 homes and the establishment of a 100m cordon.
Avon and Somerset Police put the cordon in place in Becket Road, Worle, near Weston-super-Mare, on Wednesday 30 September, following the discovery during a search of the property. Residents within the perimeter were forced to leave their pets behind as part of the evacuation.
Investigation and evacuation details
The search was carried out as part of an ongoing fraud investigation. Officers found suspicious substances and items at the property, leading to the evacuation of 153 properties within the cordon's perimeter. Worle is a large suburban village in North Somerset, England, located on the eastern outskirts of Weston-super-Mare.
Just after 11pm last night, Avon and Somerset Police issued an update confirming that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team had advised that the 100m cordon must remain in place overnight while an in-depth search of the property is carried out.
Public safety and support measures
In the update, the force acknowledged concerns from residents about pets left at home within the cordon, stating: "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 been relocated to The Campus in Weston-super-Mare, with arrangements being made by NHS and council colleagues to support those requiring additional medical attention. Police stated they believe the incident to be isolated and that searches are continuing. The 70-year-old man remains in police custody.
