In the aftermath of the incident, a 100-metre cordon was erected near a police station and a medical centre in Burgess Hill.

The army bomb squad and several ambulances are also on the scene in The Brow, near the American Express building.

Officers responded to a report of a suspicious package in The Brow, Burgess Hill, at 1.48pm on Thursday, July 28th, according to a police spokesman.

At 9 p.m., police announced that a man had been arrested and was assisting officers with their investigations.

A number of residents in the area have been evacuated, and some roads have been closed as a precaution,” a police spokesman said. “A cordon remains in place while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team assesses the situation.”

According to a previous police statement, “the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has attended and established a 100m cordon.”

“Some roads in the surrounding area are likely to be closed for an extended period of time, and there is an increased police presence in the area.”

“The public is advised to avoid the area while the incident is being investigated.”