Several properties were evacuated in Exmouth last night after a suspicious package was found under a car, police have revealed.
A team from the Royal Naval Bomb Disposal squad carried out a controlled explosion after a cordon was thrown around the area which centred on Byron Way.
The drama lasted several hours and began around 8pm when the package was first noticed and a police specialist search officers were alerted.
They in turn requested the bomb disposal team to attend.
Police have since delivered letters to residents in the immediate area, reassuring them that there is no cause for alarm.
In a letter to residents acting sergeant Stuart White, from Exmouth Police, said: "At approximately 22.00 on July 25 police were made aware of a suspicious package beneath a car in Byron Way. This was investigated by specialist search trained officers who requested the support of the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal (RNBD) team.
"The RNBD team carried out a control detonation of the device as standard procedure. During thios time a cordon was set up around the surrounding area for the safety of the general public and a number of properties in the immediate vicinity were evacuated.
Police thanked residents for their patience and added: "There is no further cause for concern." • A man is in police custody in relation to the incident.
