![\"Emergency](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_South-Liberty-Lane-Ashton-Vale.jpg\")
Emergency services personnel at South Liberty Lane, Ashton Vale(Image: Kineta Hill)<\/p>\nResidents had been sent a letter saying the case had been droppedEmergency services personnel at South Liberty Lane, Ashton Vale(Image: Kineta Hill)<\/p>\n
Police chiefs in South Bristol have confirmed that a 21-year-old man whose arrest sparked a bomb scare and the evacuation of more than 200 people<\/a> last month is still the subject of a criminal investigation. Police have clarified that inquiries are still ongoing after local residents in Ashton Vale were sent letters telling them that the Crown Prosecution Service had dropped the case against him.<\/p>\n There was confusion at a public meeting held on Friday (August 15) for residents of Ashton Vale affected by the events of July 22<\/a>, when police officers told the meeting that the investigation against the man arrested was still ongoing.<\/p>\n One resident then produced a letter they had received from the police which appeared to suggest the opposite – the letter informed the resident that the CPS had withdrawn the proceedings because it was \u2018not in the public interest\u2019, and the case \u2018was now concluded\u2019. Around 200 residents of Ashton Vale were evacuated from their homes for more than seven hours into the middle of the night last month, after a huge emergency response following the arrest of a 21-year-old local man<\/a>.<\/p>\n The letter from the police which was brought to the public meeting on Friday was dated July 28, and said: \u201cThe Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have taken the decision to withdraw the proceedings as it is not in the public interest.<\/p>\n \u201cThis means the case is now concluded,\u201d the letter said, adding that the arrested man is \u2018no longer subject to any bail conditions that may previously have been imposed by the police or court in relation to this offence\u2019.<\/p>\n The letter caused confusion at the meeting, and fury among residents in the local community Facebook<\/a> group for Ashton Vale, but after inquiries by Bristol Live, Avon and Somerset police have now clarified the situation.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Scores of homes evacuated amid major explosion fears in Bristol street<\/a>READ MORE: 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of making an explosive in south Bristol<\/a><\/p>\n The 21-year-old man was arrested that evening on suspicion of two offences – one related to the suspected explosive device which sparked the bomb scare and the evacuation, and the second on suspicion of possession of cannabis. Although the letter to local residents didn\u2019t explain this – it was referring to the charge of possessing cannabis, which went to court but was subsequently withdrawn by the CPS.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset police said: \u201cCriminal enquiries continue to be carried out into an incident at a property in South Liberty Lane on Tuesday 22 July<\/a>.<\/p>\n “A man, 21, was arrested on suspicion of making an explosive and was subsequently released on bail with conditions, including not to attend South Liberty Lane,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n In relation to the case referred to in the letter, the spokesperson confirmed: \u201cA man, in his early-20s, from south Bristol was charged on Thursday 24 July of being in possession of a class B drug (cannabis). This charge was later withdrawn at court.\u201d<\/p>\n Join Bristol Live\u2019s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Bristol Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose \u2018Exit group\u2019.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Risdale-Road-police-cordon.jpg\")
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