Residents evacuated and bomb squad called after ‘unidentified liquid’ found in Eastbourne house

A bomb squad has evacuated 160 families after an ‘unidentified liquid’ was found in a house.

Police found the substance in a bottle at a house in Eastbourne, on the south coast, on Monday evening.

The discovery prompted officers to call in the army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, who decided to evacuate six roads around Hyde Road in the seaside town.

An 85 meter cordon will be put in place around the area once the evacuation is complete, authorities added.

Officers said the item is secure and is not being treated as terror-related or linked to other incidents in the area.

Police are warning residents to be out of their homes on Hyde Road, Camden Road, Calverley Road, West Terrace, Bath Road and Grove Road by 9am Tuesday morning.

A rest centre for evacuated residents has been set up by Eastbourne Borough Council at the Town Hall, Grove Road.

Chief Inspector Simon Yates said: ‘Public safety is our priority, and I would like to thank residents, businesses and the wider community for their support and patience while we take these necessary precautionary actions.

‘Once the safety cordon in place, EOD will attend and manage the safe disposal of the item. We will allow residents to return to their homes as soon as it is safe for them to do so.

‘A search of the property where the bottle was found has been completed and no other items of concern have been identified. This incident is currently not being treated as terror-related and is not believed to be linked to any other incidents in the area.

‘We appreciate your support and are working hard with partners to minimise disruption while we bring this incident to a safe conclusion.’

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