Two unexploded bombs dating back to the Second World War, which were discovered in Plymouth and Exmouth, have been safely disposed of by the police. The devices were found within a short time frame on Wednesday and were later taken out to sea for destruction in the early hours of Friday, as confirmed by Devon and Cornwall Police. These findings led to two simultaneous major incidents, resulting in the evacuation of Exmouth residents from a 600-meter safety zone.
James Vaughan, the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall, praised the “exceptional bravery and expertise” of both Royal Navy and army bomb disposal specialists, highlighting the intense demand faced during this period. The first bomb was unearthed at a construction site in Plymouth city center, while the second was located at Exmouth Marina on the same day.
Numerous residents within a 400-meter and subsequently a 600-meter radius had to be evacuated while military personnel worked on devising a secure method to dispose of the ordnance, according to the police. Video footage captured the military bomb disposal experts removing an unexploded device from a trawler at Exmouth Marina and transporting it out to sea.
Following the successful resolution, Mr. Vaughan and police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez met with team members, volunteers, and military personnel at the Exmouth Lifeboat station command center to express their gratitude. Mr. Vaughan acknowledged the outstanding partnership and community response to the incident, emphasizing the courage and skills displayed by the Royal Navy and army bomb disposal experts.
Ms. Hernandez also commended the professionalism demonstrated by the police team in managing the logistical challenges during the extension of the safety cordon.