MALE SECTIONED AFTER SUSPECTED EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL SEIZED FROM NEWPORT HOME

A man in his 20s has been detained under the Mental Health Act after Police were alerted to the presence of suspected explosive material inside a property in Newport yesterday afternoon (Thursday). Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts from the Royal Navy rushed to Prospect Road in the town following a request for assistance from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, as first reported by Island Echo. It came after officers attended the address on the corner of Prospect Road and South Street shortly after 13:00. It was just before 17:00 that the bomb squad arrived on scene to assess the suspicious material, whilst working to ensure the safety of local residents. They had boarded the 16:00 ferry from Fishbourne. The Royal Navy mobilised a vehicle often associated with the identification and handling of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The truck was last on the Island earlier this year, when an aerosol can rigged with a firelighter was located at the burnt out Parkbury Hotel. Police have confirmed to Island Echo that a small quantity of suspicious material was seized from the address last night. A man in his 20s has been detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act. He was located at an address on Mary Rose Avenue in Wootton. Local neighbourhood officers will be in the Prospect Road area today carrying out reassurance patrols and residents are asked to speak to them if they have any questions or concerns.