Major Incident Declared in Derby Following Explosives Arrests
A major incident was declared in Derby, United Kingdom, on Thursday, December 4, 2025, after police arrested two men on suspicion of explosives offenses. The operation led to the precautionary evacuation of approximately 200 homes in the city's Pear Tree neighborhood, impacting several streets.
Police Operation and Arrests on Vulcan Street
The incident began when Derbyshire Police executed a warrant at an address on Vulcan Street, acting on intelligence regarding 'materials at the address'. During the operation, two men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses. Both individuals are Polish nationals, one in his 40s and the other in his 50s, and they remain in police custody. Authorities have clarified that the incident is not being investigated as a terrorism incident and there is no wider risk to the community.
Extensive Evacuation and Multi-Agency Response
An extensive evacuation zone was established, affecting around 200 properties across multiple streets, including:
- Shaftsbury Crescent
- Vulcan Street
- Reeves Road
- Harrington Street (from Holcombe Street to Vulcan Street)
- Baseball Drive (to Colombo Street)
- Cambridge Street (at Reeves Road and Shaftsbury Crescent)
Residents within the affected area were advised to prepare to be out of their homes for up to 24 hours and to make arrangements for any necessary medications or pets. Derby City Council, in conjunction with emergency services, set up rest centers at the Salvation Army on Osmaston Road and the Pakistani Community Centre on Harrington Street to provide support for displaced residents. The operation involved a coordinated effort from Derbyshire Police, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service, and Derby City Council.
Controlled Explosion and Community Reassurance
As part of the ongoing response, the Army's Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) was deployed to the scene. A controlled explosion was carried out, and police reassured the public that any 'bang' heard was part of this controlled process and 'no cause for concern'. Authorities reiterated that the evacuations were a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.
5 Comments
Africa
Despite reassurances, this incident makes me question how safe our neighborhoods truly are. Very unsettling.
Bermudez
Excellent work by Derbyshire Police! Prioritizing public safety was the right call.
Coccinella
Controlled explosion handled professionally. Glad the situation was contained effectively.
ZmeeLove
While the police acted swiftly to secure the area, it's worrying that such materials were present in the first place. We need to understand how this was allowed to happen in a residential neighborhood.
Habibi
Authorities did well to coordinate the emergency services and open rest centers for evacuees. However, the long-term impact on community trust and residential peace is still a concern for many.