Home   Deal   News   Article

Discovery of suspicious item sparks evacuation in William Pitt Avenue in Deal

A bomb squad has returned to the scene of an incident after a second suspicious item was uncovered.

More than 30 homes in William Pitt Avenue and nearby Middle Deal Road were evacuated for up to two hours yesterday evening after a discovery at a property.

A 50 metre cordon was placed while MOD experts arriving in bomb disposal vans assessed the object, but the unknown item found was deemed to be safe.

A bomb disposal vehicle outside the William Pitt Avenue property last night Picture: Sarita Claire
A bomb disposal vehicle outside the William Pitt Avenue property last night Picture: Sarita Claire

A bomb disposal van returned to the site, approximately 20 hours after the initial alarm was raised, at 12.30pm.

Police have confirmed that during their ongoing enquires a second suspicious item was located. It, too, was found to be safe.

Resident Lisa Brett told KentOnline: "There's been a police presence all night, just sitting outside in a car.

"There's two unmarked land rover type vehicles that belong to the police here.

A bomb disposal team has returned to the site in Deal today Picture: Lisa Brett
A bomb disposal team has returned to the site in Deal today Picture: Lisa Brett

"There's men in protective vests who've been in and out all morning."

It's understood that the property, which has a 'sold' sign outside it, has been vacant since mid May.

Men in white suits can be seen in the road today
Men in white suits can be seen in the road today

Home-owners in the vicinity were instructed to leave their properties for up to two hours on Tuesday evening, with some taking refuge in neighbouring properties.

Ms Brett, 48, whose home was just outside of the cordon took in her cousin and four children until 11pm.

She said: "Anyone who wasn't evacuated was just advised to stay indoors and close their windows in case of an explosion."

Police and a bomb disposal team have returned to the house today Picture: Lisa Brett
Police and a bomb disposal team have returned to the house today Picture: Lisa Brett

A police spokesman said: "Police were called at 4.30pm on Tuesday, July 2, after a suspicious item was discovered at a property in William Pitt Avenue.

"Officers attended the scene and put in place a cordon to assist experts from the Ministry of Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal team whilst they assessed the object.

An officer remains outside the house where a suspicious item was found
An officer remains outside the house where a suspicious item was found

"As a precaution, residents in the nearby vicinity were asked to leave their properties for approximately one to two hours.

"The object was found to be safe and of no risk to the public, however officers remain in the area carrying out further inquiries."

A spokesman added at 1.30pm today: "As part of those enquiries another suspicious item was located and the EOD was called to assess it. It was found to be safe."

The suspicious item was found in a house in William Pitt Avenue in Deal
The suspicious item was found in a house in William Pitt Avenue in Deal

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More