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Cordon lifted after 'suspicious items' destroyed

Bea Swallow,West of Englandand
Mike Gilmore,Worle
News imageBBC Blue and white police cordon tape surrounding a brick house, which has a slate covered awning and front garden area with two large trees. There is a police officer wearing a yellow hi-vis jacket guarding the front door, and in the foreground is a road sign which says 'Wesley Drive'.BBC
Police say the "suspicious substances and items" were found during a search of the property

Residents are returning home following the evacuation of 153 properties, after police discovered "suspicious substances and items" during an arrest.

The Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit was called to Becket Road in Worle, Weston-super-Mare, on Wednesday and a 100-metre (328ft) cordon was set up in the area.

Avon and Somerset Police arrested a man in his 70s on suspicion of fraud by false representation. The items were found during a subsequent search of the property.

Neighbour Emma Williamson said she did not have time to take her animals or pack an overnight bag for her children, describing the ordeal as "stressful".

Police said the items have since been destroyed, adding: "We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the residents and their loved ones for their patience".

"The cordon in Becket Road, and the surrounding area, has now been lifted and residents are free to return home at their convenience," they added.

Officers say the man was arrested as part of an "ongoing investigation into fraud offences" and remains in police custody.

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Williamson said police knocked on her door at around 14:00 BST on Wednesday to inform her there was a "danger to life" and everyone must leave.

"I had one of my children home from school, so he was freaked out. We didn't know what was going on," she said.

Another neighbour, Damian Watts, said he was advised to grab a coffee or "go for a walk for an hour". He then spent the night at a Airbnb.

News imageEmma Williamson sitting in the driver's seat of her parked car wearing a white vest, with her seatbelt pulled over her. She has light blue-green eyes and has her brown her tied up into a bun, and is smiling at the camera. In the background, though the passenger's window, you can see the brick home surrounded by blue and white police cordon tape.
Emma Williamson said residents could return home at 07:00 BST on Thursday, despite police initially saying the incident would only last "a couple of hours"

Williamson said she had to "battle" to get her animals retrieved from inside the cordon and returned to her.

"Had they have just said from the get go, 'I don't know how long this is going to be', I'd have been able to take my animals and pack a bag for me and my children and it wouldn't have been so stressful," she said.

During the evacuation, police acknowledged the animals left behind and said: "We appreciate the importance of this but our primary focus is public safety."

Roads affected by the cordon included Becket Road, Wesley Drive, Courtenay Walk, Becket Drive, Christian Close, The Larches, Cabot Way and Wynter Close.

An overnight rest centre was established at The Campus in Weston-super-Mare for those unable to stay with family and friends.

Police said arrangements were made by the NHS and North Somerset Council to support those who needed additional medical attention.

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