Two individuals arrested as 200 homes are evacuated due to a serious incident

Authorities have detained two men on suspicion of possessing explosives after a large-scale evacuation affected around 200 residences in Derby. The arrests followed a police operation at a property on Vulcan Street.

The suspects, aged in their 40s and 50s, were taken into custody on Thursday after Derbyshire Police received intelligence regarding potentially hazardous materials at the location. Officials emphasized that the case is not being treated as a terrorism matter and that there is no ongoing danger to the wider community.

A controlled detonation was conducted around 16:00 GMT. Derby City Council confirmed that temporary accommodation has been provided for residents affected by the evacuation for the night and the following days.

The evacuation zone included Vulcan Street, Shaftesbury Crescent, and Reeves Road in their entirety. Additional streets within the exclusion area included Harrington Street (from Holcombe Street to Vulcan Street), Baseball Drive (up to Columbo Street), and Cambridge Street at Reeves Road and Shaftesbury Crescent. Police advised that residents might need to remain out of their homes for up to 24 hours as a precaution.

A local resident, Amy Anderson from Shaftesbury Crescent, who is six months pregnant, described the experience as "daunting" and expressed how sudden the evacuation felt. Another resident, 17-year-old Esteban from Holcombe Street, said he was shocked by the abrupt order to leave and had to quickly alert his household.

Derbyshire Police confirmed that both arrested individuals are Polish nationals, sharing this information to follow national guidance and prevent the spread of misinformation.

The city council established an assembly point at the Pakistani Community Centre on Harrington Street and a rest center at The Salvation Army on Osmaston Road to support displaced residents. Council staff are on-site to provide translation assistance and reassurance, while temporary lodging arrangements are available for those in need.

Gary Robb of the Salvation Army noted that volunteers are prepared to remain on-site overnight to support residents, though the duration of the evacuation is uncertain.

Author: Noah Whitman