British police have arrested a 70-year-old man after a search of his home in Worle, near Weston-super-Mare, uncovered suspected explosives, a firearm and drugs, leading to the evacuation of 153 properties.
According to SaharaReporters, citing The Sun, the incident began when officers went to the address on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into alleged fraud by false representation. During the operation, police discovered containers believed to hold explosive substances, prompting the deployment of the military’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit.
Avon and Somerset Police said authorities imposed a 100-metre exclusion zone around the property and evacuated residents from nearby homes as specialist officers assessed the potential danger. Residents were initially directed to a rest centre at Castle Batch Community Centre before being moved to The Campus in Weston-super-Mare.
North Somerset Policing Superintendent Jen Appleford said what started as an arrest operation developed into a wider emergency response involving police, fire and ambulance services, military specialists, the NHS and North Somerset Council.
She said officers later conducted a detailed search of the property, during which several explosive substances were recovered and removed. Police also seized an air rifle, a firearm and drugs.
The suspected explosive materials were subsequently examined and destroyed by the bomb disposal team, the force said. Police maintained that there was no wider threat to the public and described the incident as an isolated matter.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing explosive substances for an unlawful purpose and remained in custody as detectives continued their investigation. The cordon was lifted in the early hours of Thursday, allowing residents to return to their homes.
According to the report, the discovery was made during the attempted arrest of the man, while Avon and Somerset Police’s account focused on the subsequent specialist operation and recovery of the suspected explosive materials.
Forensic officers have continued examining the property and surrounding area as investigators seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the items recovered.
