Around 160 homes evacuated as bomb disposal carry out controlled explosion in Eastbourne
A rest centre was set up for families displaced by an emergency cordon. A suspicious item was found by contractors involved in a house clearance.
Tuesday 24 June 2025 15:22, UK
A controlled explosion has been carried out and around 160 homes evacuated, after bomb disposal experts were deployed to a house in Eastbourne.
Sussex Police said they were called at 5.27pm on Monday after contractors found a bottle containing an unknown liquid during a house clearance.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were deployed to Hyde Road, a largely residential area with terraced properties, and a decision was made to evacuate people from their homes in nearby streets on Tuesday morning.
In a statement, the force said: "EOD teams have now carried out a controlled explosion of the item and a further search of the property where it was found, and are satisfied there is no ongoing risk to the public.
"As a result, the cordon is being lifted and residents in affected properties will be able to return to their homes. The roads that had closed have also now reopened."
Eastbourne Borough Council had set up a rest centre at the town hall for people required to evacuate their homes.
Chief Inspector Simon Yates from Sussex Police said: "The item has been safely destroyed and disposed of, and no further items of concern have been found inside the property.
"We are not treating this as terror-related and it is not believed to be linked to any other incidents in the area."
Police had evacuated the area around Hyde Road, including Camden Road, Calverley Road, West Terrace, Bath Road, and parts of Grove Road and York Road.
An 85m (278ft) cordon was put in place as a precaution, while bomb disposal teams carried out a controlled explosion.
Ch Insp Simon Yates added: "I'd like to thank local residents, businesses and the wider community for their patience and understanding."
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EOD teams are deployed by the UK armed forces and are specialised in identifying and disposing of improvised explosive devices and conventional munitions.
The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.