A 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of explosives offences following a dawn raid by armed Police in Ventnor has been released on bail with strict conditions until February 2027, as officers conclude searches at a High Street property.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that the man, who is from Ventnor, has been bailed until 11th February 2027 while further enquiries are carried out.
The man was arrested on Wednesday (11th November) on suspicion of possessing or controlling explosives with intent to endanger life or injure property.
As previously reported by Island Echo, firearms officers rendezvoused in Upper Ventnor ahead of daybreak before moving in on a block of flats on Ventnor High Street at around 05:00 on Wednesday morning as part of an investigation into reported weapons offences.
During the raid, a number of objects were discovered inside the property, with Police later confirming that suspicious items had been located during the search.
The discovery prompted the deployment of the Royal Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team from Portsmouth, with bomb disposal experts arriving in Ventnor on Wednesday evening.
The operation saw Ventnor High Street locked down, with Police officers stationed at either end of the road to establish a soft cordon and divert members of the public who did not live on the street.
Despite the increased Police presence, residents were informed that an evacuation was not necessary, with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary stating that there was no identified wider risk to the public.
Southern Vectis Routes 3 and 6 were diverted as a result of the closure, with buses unable to serve the Ventnor Boots stop.
Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team also remained in the area to reassure concerned residents while the bomb disposal operation continued.
At the time, a spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed:
“A road closure has been put in place on High Street, Ventnor. We ask people find alternative routes at this time.
“It relates to searches at a property at this location that have been ongoing throughout the day in relation to suspected weapons offences.
“During this search a number of suspicious objects were located.
“Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team remain in the area this evening and anyone with any concerns can speak to one of these uniformed officers.”
The High Street eventually reopened to pedestrians and motorists at around 18:50 on Wednesday, following the departure of the Royal Navy’s bomb disposal team.
However, officers remained inside the flat, where a large-scale search continued into Thursday.
Police have now confirmed that searches at the High Street property have concluded.
In an update issued today (Friday), Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said:
“Yesterday, officers concluded searches at an address on High Street, Ventnor in relation to an investigation into reported weapons offences.
“A 30-year-old man from Ventnor arrested on suspicion of an offence under the explosives act has now been bailed with strict conditions until Thursday 11 February 2027 whilst further enquiries are conducted.
“Enquiries remain ongoing.”
Police have not disclosed exactly what was discovered during the searches, whether any of the suspicious objects were confirmed to be explosives, or the nature of the man’s bail conditions.
The investigation remains ongoing.
