153 Homes Evacuated in Worle After Suspicious Items Found

A 70-year-old man has been arrested in Worle, Somerset, after police discovered suspicious substances and items during a search of a property linked to an investigation into alleged fraud. Avon and Somerset Police evacuated 153 properties and established a 100-metre cordon around Becket Road on Wednesday, 30 September, with the restriction remaining in place overnight while specialist officers carried out further searches.

The man was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation as officers investigated suspected offences at a property in Becket Road, Worle, near Weston-super-Mare. During the search, officers identified substances and items that required further assessment, prompting the emergency response and evacuation of nearby residents.

The 153 properties affected by the cordon include homes within the designated 100-metre area. Residents were asked to leave while police and specialist personnel assessed the situation.

Worle is a large suburban area of North Somerset, adjoining the eastern side of Weston-super-Mare. The incident has affected residents in an established residential community, with emergency arrangements put in place to support those unable to return home.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the evacuation was necessary while specialist officers examined the property. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that the police response remained focused on public safety while the investigation continued.

Shortly after 11pm on Wednesday, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the 100-metre cordon would remain in place overnight following advice from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

Police said an in-depth search of the property was required before the cordon could be lifted. The decision meant residents inside the affected area could not immediately return to their homes.

The presence of suspicious substances or items does not, by itself, establish what they were or whether they posed a wider threat. Police have not publicly identified the materials found at the property, and no conclusion about their nature should be drawn while specialist assessments remain under way.

The investigation also remains connected to the original fraud inquiry, in which the 70-year-old man was arrested.

Avon and Somerset Police said several residents had raised concerns about pets that had been left inside properties within the cordon. Officers acknowledged those concerns but said public safety remained the immediate priority.

The designated rest centre was subsequently relocated to The Campus in Weston-super-Mare. Police said arrangements were being made with NHS and council colleagues to assist residents who required additional medical support.

The response highlights the practical difficulties created when a police cordon affects a large residential area, particularly when residents are unable to access their homes for an extended period.

Police said they believed the incident to be isolated and confirmed that searches were continuing. There was no indication in the information released by police that the wider Worle community was under a general threat.

The 70-year-old suspect remained in police custody as of the latest update provided by Avon and Somerset Police. His arrest relates to an allegation of fraud by false representation, and no charge has been confirmed in the information available.

Under UK law, being arrested or held in police custody does not mean a person has been charged or found guilty of an offence.