A 50-year-old individual has been detained on suspicion of making a false bomb alert in Lancing.

Properties on Tower Road were cleared this afternoon and a 100-metre exclusion zone was established after officers attended a report concerning a suspicious object.

Sussex Police have indicated the safety perimeter has since been lifted following the false alarm.

Police were originally dispatched to Tower Road around 2.30pm on 22 March following a report of an assault at a residence there. During their response, officers located an item of concern, prompting specialist involvement.

Personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended the location and conducted an assessment, determining the object did not present any danger to the public.

The individual, aged 50, was subsequently detained on suspicion of the bomb hoax offence and is currently being held by police. The bomb disposal specialists remained at the scene while additional searches were carried out.

The safety barrier and restricted zone that had been set up have now been taken down, allowing householders to go back to their properties.

Local residents are thanked for their cooperation during the operation. Officers will continue to patrol the neighbourhood to finish their enquiries and offer reassurance to the community.