Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Saturday 22nd March 2025, at 13:20hrs
Significant progress has been made in the ongoing investigation of hazardous chemicals found at a property on the A259 in St Leonards.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams successfully removed desensitised chemicals from the residence and conducted a controlled burn in a skip near the sea wall on Saturday morning.
The operation, which began on Thursday, March 20th, prompted the evacuation of nearby residents and the establishment of a police cordon.
EOD specialists are continuing their search of the property today to ensure it is completely free of any explosive materials and safe for residents to return.
In addition to the previously identified chemicals, approximately 500 canisters containing unknown substances have been discovered. Authorities have clarified that these canisters are not believed to contain explosives.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, along with national specialists, will conduct thorough testing and assessments of these materials following the completion of the EOD’s search.
Initial assessments by the EOD revealed large quantities of a substance with explosive components. Further scientific experiments are currently being conducted to determine the precise nature of this chemical.
A 28-year-old man, linked to the property, has been detained under the Mental Health Act while investigations continue.
Chief Inspector James Scott, district commander, addressed the ongoing situation, stating,
“All partners are working hard to resolve the incident as swiftly as possible and allow residents to return to their homes as soon as it is safe.
We appreciate everyone’s support and on-going patience. We know this has been incredibly disruptive.”
He further added, “Investigations are ongoing however, from evidence gathered so far, there is no indication that the 28-year-old man arrested intended to cause harm either to himself or anybody else.”
Residents are still awaiting a definitive timeline for when the cordon will be lifted and they can return to their homes.
Authorities anticipate having more information by late afternoon. A decision regarding the scheduled half marathon is also expected around the same time.
“We cannot put an exact timeframe of when the cordon will be reduced and residents can return to their homes but we should know more late afternoon.
Further updates will be delivered as soon as they are available,” Chief Inspector Scott confirmed.
The incident has caused significant disruption to the local community, and authorities are working diligently to ensure public safety while conducting a thorough and meticulous investigation.
Further updates will be released as they become available.
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