Eastbourne Evacuation Ends as Police Declare Scene Safe Following Chemical Bottle Scare

Residents return home after Hyde Road cordon lifted and EOD confirms no further threat Residents have been allowed to return to their homes and roads have reopened in Eastbourne town centre following a major evacuation sparked by the discovery of a suspicious bottle of liquid. The alarm was raised at 5.27pm on Monday, 23 June, […]

Residents return home after Hyde Road cordon lifted and EOD confirms no further threat

Residents have been allowed to return to their homes and roads have reopened in Eastbourne town centre following a major evacuation sparked by the discovery of a suspicious bottle of liquid.

The alarm was raised at 5.27pm on Monday, 23 June, after police were called to a property in Hyde Road. A bottle containing an unidentified substance was found, prompting the attendance of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

As a precaution, Sussex Police began a planned evacuation of around 160 homes on Tuesday (24 June), affecting properties in Hyde Road, Camden Road, Calverley Road, West Terrace, Bath Road, and parts of Grove Road and York Road. An 85-metre safety cordon was also put in place.

Displaced residents were supported by Eastbourne Borough Council at a rest centre in the Town Hall, with police officers assisting door-to-door during the evacuation.

This afternoon, the cordon was lifted and all residents were informed it was safe to return to their properties.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said:

“The scene in Hyde Road, Eastbourne, has now been declared safe and residents have been allowed to return. The EOD team has completed their work and confirmed there is no ongoing risk to the public. We thank everyone for their patience during this disruption.”

Earlier in the day, Chief Inspector Simon Yates reassured the public:

“This incident is not being treated as terror-related, and no other items of concern were found during the property search. Public safety has remained our top priority.”

Anyone with further concerns can contact Sussex Police on 101