Man arrested on suspicion of explosives offences as several homes evacuated in Derbyshire

Police discover ‘suspicious items’ after being alerted to concerns about a man’s safety

Several houses have been evacuated and nearby roads closed after a man was arrested on suspicion of explosives offences at a house in Derbyshire.

Police officers rushed to a property in the town of Belper just after 6pm on Friday after being alerted to concerns about a man’s safety.

A number of suspicious items were found during their search of the home on Acorn Drive and a man was arrested on suspicion of explosives offences, Derbyshire Constabulary said.

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team at Acorn Drive (Jacob King/PA Wire)

Explosive ordnance disposal experts advised that a 100-metre cordon be put in place, spanning properties on multiple roads, the force said just after 5pm.

A rest centre was opened at the Strutt Centre in Derby Road for those who were evacuated and police said in an update at 8:15pm that people had been allowed to return to their homes.

Police confirmed that the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

“Enquiries are continuing into the items found at the address, however, we are able to confirm that this is not being treated as a terrorist incident and there are no wider risks or concerns regarding the safety of the public,” the force said.

“We would like to thank everyone affected for their patience and for their assistance throughout today,” the statement added.

The man has been arrested on suspicion of manufacturing an explosive substance without a licence, contrary to the Explosives Regulations 2014.

The cordon had included properties on Acorn Way, Acorn Drive, Swinney Lane and Swinney Bank, while Acorn Drive was closed at its junction with Mill Street, along with parts of Swinney Lane.

“A number of houses have been evacuated – and roads closed – in Belper after an incident in the town,” police said in their earlier update.

“Officers attended an address in Acorn Drive in Belper just after 6pm last night after the force was called to reports of a concern for the safety of a man.

“A search of the house was made and a number of suspicious items were found and a man has been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences.”

Belper is a market town with a population of around 20,000 people, located just 10 kilometres north of Derby and 20 kilometres west of Nottingham.

It comes just a fortnight after St James’s Hospital in Leeds was evacuated and a 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of firearm and explosives offences, in what counter-terrorism police said was an isolated incident.