A Worle resident has described a night of uncertainty after more than 150 homes were evacuated when police discovered explosive substances at a property.
Hundreds of people were forced from their homes during a major police incident in Worle, with one resident recalling frustration, concern and little sleep.
Police say explosive substances, firearms and drugs were seized from a Worle address after an operation that left dozens of streets evacuated overnight.
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Residents living around Becket Road were told to leave by emergency services on Wednesday, September 30, after officers searching a property discovered what they described as suspicious substances and items.
A 100-metre cordon was established while specialist bomb disposal teams investigated, with 153 properties evacuated and a refuge centre set up at Castle Batch Children's Centre.
Among those affected was Darren Seedhouse, 53, who found himself unable to return home after discovering police had sealed off his road.
He said: "I was coming back from the shops, and my road was cordoned off with this police tape.
"Obviously we questioned it and told them we can't get into our properties asked about how long it would be until we could get back."
Instead, Mr Seedhouse headed to the community centre opened for evacuated residents.
He said: "I went for a walk, and went to the community centre, which was open to the people that were told to evacuate.
"They were very friendly but the frustration was building about what was going on and how long it was going to go on for."
As the evacuation continued into the evening, he said many residents became increasingly concerned about relatives, medication and pets left behind.
"There were people that were told to evacuate and they left their dogs.
"They were told to just get out as quickly as possible, and then when those people realised that it was going on for longer than they realised, they wanted to go and care for their pets, and they weren't allowed to go back.
"There was medication issues as well with old people. It was all a bit up and down for some people more than others."
Police lifted the cordon at about 6.15am on Thursday, October 1, allowing residents to return to their homes following the overnight evacuation.
Mr Seedhouse said the experience was unlike anything the area had seen before.
"I probably got about four hours sleep but I can't complain about the service and how they've treated us.
"The police are obviously under rules, the strict guidance of giving information up, which is frustrating because people want to know.
"This is an unprecedented situation in this area, you know, that's never happened before and is probably not going to happen again."
Avon and Somerset Police later confirmed that a "number of explosive substances" had been recovered and safely removed from the property.
Officers also seized an air rifle, a firearm and drugs during the search.
A man in his 70s, initially arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, remains in police custody after also being arrested on suspicion of possessing explosive substances for an unlawful purpose.
Police also searched a second location off the A370 near Hewish on Thursday morning, but no explosive material or other items of concern were found.
North Somerset policing superintendent Jen Appleford said officers believe the incident to be isolated and reassured residents there is currently no wider risk to the public.
Enquiries remain ongoing.
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