Two unexploded bombs from the Second World War, discovered in Plymouth and Exmouth, have been safely removed and destroyed, Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed.
The devices were unearthed within hours of each other on Wednesday, prompting two major incidents and the evacuation of residents from a 600-metre cordon in Exmouth. The bombs were taken out to sea for disposal in the early hours of Friday.
Chief Constable James Vaughan praised the “exceptional bravery and skills” of Royal Navy and army bomb disposal experts, describing the week as one of “significant demand”. The first bomb was found at a construction site in Plymouth city centre, while the second was discovered at Exmouth Marina.
Video footage showed military experts removing an unexploded device from a trawler at Exmouth Marina and transporting it out to sea. Vaughan and police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez visited the Exmouth Lifeboat station command centre to thank staff and volunteers.
Vaughan said: “We were overwhelmed by the strength of the partnership and community response… The safe removal of ordnance in both Plymouth and Exmouth showed exceptional bravery and skills.” Hernandez added: “The calmness I witnessed from the police team when they were managing the logistics around the extension of the cordon was exemplary.”
