70kg Wartime Bomb found in Plymouth City Centre

A German wartime bomb, found in Plymouth city centre yesterday, has been made safe and removed from the location by an MoD Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.

The 300 metre exclusion zone around the demolition site in Notte Street has now been opened - and the 190 residents, who have been sheltering at a rest centre at the Pavillions, have been allowed to return home. 

The bomb was stabilised by the disposal team before being moved to Millbay and taken off shore. It will be kept underwater at sea overnight, before being disposed of tomorrow.

Police were called to the site at around 3.40pm yesterday afternoon after workmen discovered the partially buried device on the site of the former NAAFI building (currently being demolished). An assessment was carried out, and the device was discovered to be a 70kg German wartime bomb. A large scale evacuation of more than 500 properties including flats, restaurants and hotels was immediately ordered. The exclusion zone included the Civic Centre and Guildhall.

Police, fire & rescue, and ambulance services were on the scene throughout the incident, as well as civil protection officers from Plymouth City Council. The Council’s Community Services department provided support for evacuated families.

The agencies praised residents for their support and cooperation throughout the incident, as well as local businesses - some of whom provided refreshments for the emergency services.