A 65-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of making or knowingly having control of explosives in suspicious circumstances after three streets were cordoned off by police and the bomb squad last night (January 14).
Charlotte Court, Harbour Street, York Street and Queen Street were evacuated after a number of suspicious items were found at a Charlotte Court flat. They have now been reopened.
Kent Police was called at 3.26pm after the items were found in the empty flat.
A Ministry of Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended to assess the items and as a precaution officers evacuated the area. Ramsgate Leisure Centre was set up as an emergency centre for residents. Thanet council assisted residents who were without accommodation
Following the EOD assessment it is believed there is no risk to the public. At around 4.20am today the roads were reopened and residents have been allowed to return to their homes. Police remain at the flat in Charlotte Court subject to further assessment by an EOD team.
Inspector Amy Pearson said: “Public safety is paramount to Kent Police and I would like to thank the public for the understanding and patience they have showed while our officers have worked with our partner agencies to ensure this situation has been dealt with in the safest way.”
The man was arrested in Crawley, West Sussex, and remains in custody.