Homes evacuated within 400m of suspected WW2 ordnance

18 hours ago

Jonathan Morrisand

Caroline Robinson,South West

UGC Two police cars on a road. There is police tape on sign posts. There is a car driving outside of the cordon and a person in police uniform directing them. There are houses in the background and cars with their headlights on. — Homes inside the cordon are being evacuated

Police say around 1,200 homes are being evacuated, after a suspected unexploded World War Two device was found at a building site.

Plymouth City Council said the cordon was extended to 400m (1,300ft) following advice from military bomb disposal experts to "allow specialist teams to continue their work safely".

Devon and Cornwall Police said the centre of the cordon was at Flamborough Road, in the Southway area of Plymouth, Devon, after reports were received at about 14:30 BST.

The force added: "Officers are knocking on any impacted properties and we are working with partners to convene plans for any displaced residents. Please do not travel into or attend this area."

A police officer in police uniform. He is looking to the right. There is a blue and white wall behind him. — Insp Gareth Hammett said police were trying to resolve the incident as quickly as possible

Insp Gareth Hammett, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said the ordnance was a suspected unexploded WW2 device.

He added the police endeavoured to "resolve this incident as quickly as possible".

"We do not underestimate the impact and the inconvenience... but we'd also like to reassure the public that we're working quickly and closely with our partners to try and bring this incident to a conclusion."

He said approximately 1,200 homes were being evacuated and the Royal Navy ordinance disposal team were on site surveying the device.

He said it was "unsettling" and added "I know it's really inconvenient and we know the impact".

"This is not the first time we've dealt with an incident like this, as you know, in Plymouth...

"This is all about public safety."

There were more than 50 bombing attacks on Plymouth between 1941 and 1944 killing 1,178 civilians in the area. Official records estimate that at least 2,820 bombs fell on the city with about 10% failing to detonate.

Plymouth City Council A map showing a residential area with streets, housing blocks, schools, and green spaces clearly marked. At the centre is a white diamond symbol. Around that point is a large shaded circular area, coloured in light red and orange tones, indicating a defined radius or zone of interest. — People have been evacuated from their homes in the area

Plymouth City Council said it did not know how long the cordon would remain in place and it would depend on the "outcome of the specialist assessment".

It said people were encouraged to make arrangements to stay with friends or family for the next two nights.

Lisa Clark, a resident of the area, speaking to the BBC before the cordon was extended to include her home said: "The uncertainty is making me feel a wee bit anxious now really."

The council said: "Residents within the expanded cordon are now being asked to temporarily leave their homes.

"The Police, with support from partner agencies are in the area to speak directly with affected residents and ensure they have the support they need."

The council said it appreciated this was a "worrying situation" and it thanked people for their "cooperation".

A woman wearing a black blazer and black top. She is wearing glassed and a gold necklace and has shoulder length hair. There is a blue and white wall behind him. — Chief executive of Plymouth City Council Tracey Lee said community spirit was really coming through

Tracey Lee, chief executive of Plymouth City Council, said: "We'd like to thank people for their patience.

"We realise this is inconvenient while we work to keep people safe and resolve the situation...

"The most important thing is that the military are able to do the work they need to do on site to assess the the ordnance, and then we can plan the next stages...

"It's amazing that community spirit that really comes through in these times."

The image shows a man with brown hair. He is wearing a black hoodie. Behind him are cars and houses. — Josh Roberts was in Aldi when he heard about the ordnance

Josh Roberts was shopping in Aldi with his mum when he found out about the ordnance.

He said: "The police officer came quite frantically into the shop really, asking to see the manager, we thought, it's a bit different.

"We heard the word bomb so that's when we were like we need to kind of get out of here, we need to go and see what's going on."

Roberts' home is in the extended evacuation zone.

Earlier he had said: "We'll leave for however long it needs to take for everyone's safety at the end of the day."

A woman smiling and wearing glasses. She has red shoulder length hair. She is wearing a fleece. She is stood in front of a glass door. — Teresa Jones was asked the evacuate when the cordon got extended

Teresa Jones was asked to leave her home when the 200m cordon was extended.

She said: "I'm waiting to be offered alternative accommodation... and I'm just having a cup of tea and a sandwich whilst I wait."

She added: "We're now just waiting for a taxi to take us somewhere to sleep."

"I've left my animals at home so I'm hoping they'll be okay and they're with my husband so hopefully they'll all be okay," she added.

In February 2024 a 500kg (1,102lb) German World War Two bomb was found in a garden in the Keyham area of Plymouth. It forced the evacuation of thousands of people and was detonated at sea.

"It is scary but I know from the Keyham bomb that all the houses in the area were fine so I'm hoping that the same sort of thing will happen."

What do I do if I am evacuated?

Plymouth City council have issued advice to people needing to evacuate.

They asked people to:

Leave windows open where possible
Turn off the stop tap to isolate water to their property
Take enough clothes and essential items for the next two days, including medications or medical equipment, hygiene items and essentials for babies and children, such as nappies, formula, bottles, food and comfort items
Bring a power pack or charger for mobile phones, hearing aids or other essential devices
Take important household documents
Take supplies for pets

Those who were unable to make alternative arrangements for overnight accommodation have been asked to contact the council on 01752 668 000 (or 0808 230 6500 if you are a PCH tenant) and go to Southway Youth and Community Centre on Hendwell Close.

The picture shows a road junction in a residential area that has been partially closed off. In the foreground there is a pedestrian barrier beside a pavement with a painted bicycle symbol on the tarmac. Several orange and white traffic cones are placed across the road, some connected with blue and white police tape to block traffic. — Roads have been closed in the area around Flamborough Road in Southway, Plymouth

Plymouth City Council said the cordon was in place to "ensure the safety of local residents while specialist teams complete their assessment".

A spokesperson said: "The Royal Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal team remains on site and the situation is being carefully managed.

"We would like to reassure the community that this is a precautionary measure and there is no immediate risk to the wider public.

"We are asking people to please avoid the area while this work continues."

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "Bomb disposal experts (Bravo Squadron of the Royal Navy's Diving and Threat Exploitation Group) based at HMNB Devonport are assisting Devon and Cornwall Police with an ongoing incident in Plymouth."

A residential street that has been cordoned off by police. In the foreground, there is a red and white traffic cone with blue and white tape stretched across it, clearly marked with the word “POLICE”. Behind the tape, at least two marked police vehicles are parked on the road, with one facing towards the camera and another further down the street. — A cordon has been placed around the building site in the area of Flamborough Road

Listen to the latest news for Devon

School closures

Schools have announced they would be closed on Thursday "due to an emergency situation with a suspected unexploded bomb within the vicinity of the school". They include: