Eastbourne Residents Return Home After Suspicious Liquid Evacuation
Residents in Eastbourne town centre have gone back to their homes following a major evacuation sparked by a suspicious liquid found on Hyde Road. The explosive scare saw around 160 homes evacuated and a large police operation put in place.
Mass Evacuation after Suspicious Bottle Found
The alarm was raised at 5.27pm on Monday, 23 June, when Sussex Police were called to a property on Hyde Road due to a bottle containing an unidentified substance. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was swiftly deployed as a precaution.
On Tuesday 24 June, police evacuated approximately 160 homes across multiple streets including Hyde Road, Camden Road, West Terrace, Bath Road, Grove Road, and nearby areas. An 85-metre safety cordon sealed off the scene.
A rest centre was set up at Eastbourne Town Hall by Eastbourne Borough Council. Officers went door-to-door to ensure residents were safely evacuated.
Area Declared Safe After EOD Assessment
By late Tuesday afternoon, the EOD team completed their investigation and confirmed there was no ongoing threat. Sussex Police declared the area safe, allowing residents to return home.
“The scene in Hyde Road, Eastbourne, has now been declared safe and residents have been allowed to return. The EOD team has completed their assessment and confirmed there is no ongoing risk to the public. We thank everyone for their patience during this disruption,” a Sussex Police spokesperson said.
Not Terror-Related, Police Clarify
Chief Inspector Simon Yates confirmed the incident is not terror-related. No other dangerous items were found during the property search.
“This incident is not being treated as terror-related, and no other items of concern were found during the property search. Public safety has remained our top priority,” said Chief Inspector Yates.
Police urge anyone with concerns or further information to get in touch on 101.
