Man arrested after explosive substance found in St Leonards

A man has been arrested after an explosive substance which poses “a threat to life” was found in a property in a Sussex seaside town, police said.

Residents within a 100-metre cordon around the address on the A259 Marina in St Leonards were evacuated following the discovery of the chemicals on Thursday, prompting Sussex Police to declare a major incident.

A 28-year-old man has been held on suspicion of producing illegal substances and making an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose and he remains in police custody.

Police do not currently believe the incident to be a terror-related.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team confirmed the chemicals were explosive and pose a threat to life, officers said.

The cordon is in place between Caves Road and Sussex Road, which also extends to some properties to the north in West Hill Road.

Police visited all the properties in the area and are “continuing to urge those who remain within the defined cordon to leave to ensure their own safety”.

Hastings Borough Council has set up a rest centre for displaced residents at the Royal Victoria Hotel.

Sussex Police Ch Insp James Scott said the cordon was put in place “for public safety” and that all affected residents had left their properties.

He added: “Police were called to deal with another incident at the property which is when the chemicals were discovered.

“It isn’t a drugs’ lab. It is just a number of chemicals in a room which are very temperamental.”

“We are working with other emergency services to bring this to a safe and prompt conclusion but there are still meetings ongoing so there are no timescales.”