Bomb squad finds explosives, firearms and drugs at Somerset pensioner's home after 153 families are forced out
From the Newshound archive · first published 30 September 2026 · last updated 2 October 2026.
What began as a routine fraud arrest at a Becket Road property in Worle, near Weston-super-Mare, rapidly escalated into a major multi-agency incident when officers discovered tubs they suspected contained explosives during their initial search. A 70-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, then hit with a second charge of possessing explosive substances. The bomb squad entered the property at around 7.30pm on Wednesday, destroying the suspect material before also seizing a firearm, an air rifle and drugs.
Avon and Somerset Police evacuated 153 homes and imposed a 100-metre cordon overnight while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit completed a room-by-room search.
North Somerset Policing Superintendent Jen Appleford said the operation was delayed by difficulties clearing residents from within the cordon before searches could safely begin.
A second location of interest was identified after the house search, and an EOD unit has since attended a separate non-residential site.