A closure has been in place at Watts Road for 12 hours
Two men have been arrested this evening (Friday) after police said ‘suspected explosive materials’ were found at a house in Beverley. A closure has been in place at Watts Road for 12 hours after police were called to reports of an altercation at 8.30am.
Three men who police believe know each other were outside a property on the road. Police said they believed one men was assaulted with ‘what was described as a hammer’.
A man aged 54 was arrested on suspicion of assault, while a second man, aged 27, was arrested after initially fleeing the scene for another property. A police search of that property uncovered, officers said, “weapons including firearms and a hammer, along with suspected explosive materials”.
Police said a man aged 35 was treated in hospital for minor injuries.
Police said tonight that the cordon remains in place, adding: “Officers will update and we will issue a further update on our channels when the cordon has been completely lifted.”
The full Humberside Police statement said: “Two men have been arrested and the safety cordon put in place on Watts Road in Beverley has now been reduced following reports of suspected explosive materials being found inside an address earlier today (Friday, 29 August). At around 8.30am this morning, we were called to reports of an altercation between three men, believed to be known to each other, outside a property where one man is believed to have been assaulted with what was described as a hammer.
“Officers swiftly attended and located a 54-year-old man at the scene who was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault, and the second man allegedly fled inside a nearby address. Officers forced entry and located a 27-year-old man inside the property who was also arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
“Upon searching the property officers reportedly discovered weapons including firearms and a hammer, along with suspected explosive materials. A third man, 35-years-old, was taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.”
Chief Superintendent Simon Vickers said: “Whilst incidents of this nature remain rare in our area, I appreciate it will have understandably caused fear and alarm amongst the local community, and we would like to thank everyone for their patience whilst the incident was dealt with. EOD attended to assess the materials which have since been safely removed from the area and will be disposed of. A 100-metre cordon does remain in place within the immediate area around Watts Road at this time for evidential purposes, and to allow emergency services to safely conclude their enquiries.
“Following initial enquiries so far, the 27-year-old man has been further arrested on suspicion of possession of an explosive substance and remains in police custody assisting with ongoing enquiries at this time. The items discovered were a cause for concern and had to be examined by specialists to ensure it was appropriately handled and dealt with, so not to cause any risk or threat to the public.
“I want to thank all our residents and those in the local area for their patience, assistance and understanding, as we have to take all reports of this nature seriously and all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our communities.”