No police probe over Eastbourne evacuation

There will be no further investigations following the discovery of a mystery liquid that triggered an evacuation in Eastbourne, police say.

Sussex Police said the "unidentified" substance was not sent for testing after a risk assessment found "nothing of concern".

Some 160 properties were evacuated on Tuesday after the item was found by contractors during a house clearance of a former squat on Hyde Road.

It was later destroyed by the bomb squad in a controlled explosion.

Ch Insp Simon Yates told BBC Radio Sussex the 85m (280ft) cordon around the house on Hyde Road was a "precaution taken to a [suspicious] package".

"It was just an odd circumstance," he said.

"Public safety is a priority for us," he added, thanking people and businesses for their support and "swift response" to the incident.

Shopkeeper Raj Kasippillai told BBC Radio Sussex on Monday he had lost "so much" money due to a road closure.

Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) leader Stephen Holt praised emergency services and council staff for their "superb response" to the "major incident".

Properties on Hyde Road, Camden Road, Calverley Road, West Terrace, Bath Road, and parts of Grove Road and York Road were evacuated, with the local authority setting up a rest centre for affected residents.

All those evacuated, including nine dogs, a cat and a rabbit, were able to return home early in the afternoon, according to EBC.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.