Streets in Margate, Kent, were flooded with police, firefighters and a bomb squad following reports of ‘suspicious items’
A bomb squad descended on a quiet seaside town and four streets were evacuated after items feared to be explosives were found.
Officers raced the scene, in Margate, Kent, on Wednesday evening, where one person was arrested in relation to the incident. Kent Police said they received reports of “suspicious items” inside a flat on Rosedale Road, which was sealed off as a bomb disposal team from The Ministry of Defence (MoD) arrived to inspect the scene.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service crews were also at the scene and a Kent Police spokesperson confirmed a person has been arrested and taken into custody following the search.
Manchester Synagogue attacker confronted by security 15 minutes before terror attack Greta Thunberg ‘held in bedbug-infested Israel cell with little food or water’
As well as Rosedale Road, homes were also evacuated in nearby Glencoe Road, Wharfedale Road and Malham Drive. Officers said the move was a “precautionary measure” taken after they were called to an address in Rosedale Road at around 4pm on Wednesday after concerns were raised about items contained inside a flat.
Local resident Liam John, 28, told KentOnline: “I think everyone was just shocked that there were loads of police and a bomb squad. It looks like I’m going to be on the street tonight, so yeah, there’s not much I can do really.” Another described the scenes as “all a bit crazy.”
Residents were not allowed back into their homes until the following morning. James Edwards, who lives in Rosedale Road, told the BBC: “The police turned up first, then the bomb squad turned up, we just didn’t know what was going on. The problem hopefully has been sorted out, apparently there was a message sent out between 12 and 1 last night.”
Kent Police said in a statement at the time: “Police have evacuated residents in four roads in Margate following a report of a property containing suspicious items. The precautionary measure was taken after Kent Police was called at around 4pm on Wednesday 8 October 2025, to an address in Rosedale Road. Concerns were raised about items contained inside a flat.
“A cordon has been put in place and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from the Ministry of Defence is at the scene and inspecting the items. Kent Fire and Rescue Service crews are also in attendance. As well as in Rosedale Road, homes have been evacuated in Glencoe Road, Wharfedale Road and Malham Drive.
“Thanet District Council is managing residents’ welfare and Hartsdown Leisure Centre is being used to assist this process. A person has been arrested in connection with the incident and taken into custody.”
