Police have locked down the High Street in Ventnor as bomb disposal experts arrive in the town following the discovery of suspected explosives during a raid earlier today (Wednesday.
The Royal Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team from Portsmouth has been deployed to a property where a number of objects were discovered during a dawn raid, as first reported by Island Echo.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said earlier on that there was no wider risk to the public, with the area remaining open as normal.
However, Police have now put cordons in place on the High Street, closing the road to traffic and forcing all motorists and pedestrians to divert.
It was at around 05:00 that firearms officers moved in on a block of flats as part of an investigation into reported weapons offences.
A 30-year-old man from Ventnor was arrested on suspicion of an offence under the Explosives Act. Police have not disclosed exactly what was found inside the property.
He remains in custody.
Southern Vectis has confirmed that Routes 3 and 6 are being diverted until further notice, with buses unable to serve the Ventnor Boots stop.
Route 3 buses towards Newport are diverting from Bonchurch via St Boniface Road and Spring Hill to Central Car Park, before continuing via Trinity Church and St Boniface Road towards Upper Ventnor.
Services towards Ryde will wait at Central Car Park before continuing to Trinity Church.
Route 6 buses are diverting via Gills Cliff Road, Mitchell Avenue and Spring Hill to Central Car Park, before travelling via Trinity Church, St Boniface Road and Gills Cliff Road to reach Whitwell Road.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has been approached for an updated statement.
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