A major road in Brighton remains sealed off after police discovered explosive materials inside a property on Horton Road.
The incident began early Friday morning, with neighbours reporting a strong petrol smell around 11:30am.
Specialist bomb disposal teams from the Royal Navy EOD unit in Portsmouth were called in to make the property safe. Royal Engineers arrived in full bomb protective gear, including helmets, and were equipped with a radio-controlled robot to handle the suspicious substances.
Sussex Police arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of possessing an explosive substance for unlawful purposes. A police spokesperson confirmed the case is not terrorism-related despite the serious nature of the discovery.
“A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose. The incident has been protracted and started at 11:30am this morning,” said a Sussex Police spokesperson.
Police have set up a large cordon around Horton Road. Paramedics and the South East Coast Ambulance Service HART Team are assisting on scene. Several residents have been evacuated from nearby properties as a safety precaution.
More updates will follow as the situation develops.
Originally published by UKNIP.
