An explosive device handed in to a Paignton charity shop has been detonated by a Royal Navy bomb disposal team. A British three-inch high-explosive mortar was discovered amongst a collection of donated goods at the British Heart Foundation store on Victoria Street.
Device moved to beach for controlled explosion
Officers were called to the scene at approximately 9am on Wednesday, October 7. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from HMNB Devonport in Plymouth was also summoned to examine the item. Having assessed the device as safe to transport, the team moved it to Goodrington Beach, where it was subsequently destroyed in a controlled explosion.
Lieutenant Matt Bowden, Officer in Charge of Bravo Unit One, who was present at the scene, stated: "The Royal Navy Bomb Disposal team from HMNB Devonport was called to investigate suspected ordnance discovered in Paignton today.
"The item was identified as a British 3-inch high-explosive mortar. Once my team had assessed it as safe to move, we transported it to Goodrington Beach, where it was safely destroyed in a controlled explosion."
Public urged not to handle suspected ordnance
Bowden added: "Incidents like this highlight the importance of contacting the authorities if you discover any suspected military ordnance and not attempting to handle it yourself."
The three-inch mortar was in standard use by the British Army between the 1930s and 1960s. It is a smooth-bore, muzzle-loading infantry weapon that saw widespread service throughout the Second World War.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We were called shortly after 9am on Wednesday 7 October following the discovery of what was found to be a mortar round among collections at a charity shop in Victoria Street, Paignton.
"The Royal Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team attended and took the round to Goodrington Beach where it was made safe."
