Nine suspicious devices have been found by bomb disposal teams following a police shooting.
The discoveries were made during “vital searches” carried out near the scene of the incident in Hollingbourne, where plumber Sean O’Meara was shot by firearms officers on Monday.
The A20 has been shut four times since – between Hollingbourne roundabout and Hospital Road – to allow work to be carried out by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
It was revealed this morning that nine suspicious devices have been tended to during this time.
Kent Police West Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Neil Loudon said: “This has been a complex investigation and we appreciate that the intermittent closure of the A20 caused disruption to many.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding whilst we conducted these vital searches.”
O’Meara is still in hospital after the incident, which played out at a home off Ashford Road in the village on Monday night.
Officers had been called to the property at 7.15pm to conduct an arrest over an alleged assault.
The 36-year-old, who was said to be carrying a suspected explosive device and wearing a gas mask and body armour, was shot as he reportedly approached armed police while carrying a chainsaw.
He suffered life-changing injuries and is understood to be in an induced coma in King’s College Hospital in London.
Officers had already fired two baton rounds at him before he was hit.
As earlier reported, his brother Liam felt police used unnecessary force on the tradesman, who he says suffers from mental health problems.
O’Meara refused to come out of the house, near Leeds Castle, so the officers were instructed to withdraw, and an armed unit was sent in.
Speaking previously, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) director Amanda Rowe said: “Police shootings are fortunately rare; however, given a man has been injured after being shot by police, our role is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the actions and decisions taken by the police.
“Based on analysis of evidence gathered to date, no police officer is under investigation for either misconduct or criminality – they are being treated as witnesses.
“We appreciate that the community will want answers quickly, and our investigators are working hard to establish the facts and piece together what occurred. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
