Summary

  • An unexploded WW2 bomb that was found in a garden in Plymouth has been safely transferred to the sea, Devon and Cornwall Police say

  • The device was moved by military convoy from the Keyham area of the city to the Torpoint Ferry slipway, from where it has been taken to sea for detonation

  • A 300m cordon set up around the disposal route has been lifted and thousands of people who were evacuated have been told they can return to their homes

  • More than 10,300 people and some 4,300 properties fell within the area that was cordoned off by police

  • The Ministry of Defence has described it as one of the largest UK peacetime evacuations since WW2

  • Police were called on Tuesday to the discovery of the bomb in a garden in St Michael Avenue

  • The area was heavily bombed during the war in an attempt to damage nearby naval facilities

  1. Community thanked for patiencepublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Charlotte Cox
    BBC South West

    A police officer has thanked residents in Keyham for their patience while work is being done to make an unexploded bomb safe.

    On Wednesday, Ch Supt Matt Longman visited the Beacon Centre in North Prospect where some of the displaced residents have been getting together.

    Speaking outside, he said: "All the agencies are working together to keep people safe.

    "It's about analysing the safest and least disruptive way of dealing with it. This is low risk."

    Ch Supt Longman said Devon and Cornwall Police thought up to 1,200 people had been displaced from their homes but added more places for them to go were becoming available.

    Ch Supt Matt Longman
  2. Woman still in gym clothes from Tuesday morningpublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Kevin Hay
    BBC Spotlight

    Eileen Dale
    Image caption,

    Eileen Dale only has her gym clothes to wear

    One resident says she has not been able to change clothes since her gym class on Tuesday morning.

    Eileen Dale was at Plymouth Life Centre but when she tried to return home, the police "wouldn't let me in my house".

    She said she returned to the centre, where the council arranged her accommodation for the night.

    "I need meds and some clothes, I literally have no clothes, only the stuff that I was in at the gym," she said.

  3. 'Some time' before Keyham bomb made safepublished at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Jonathan Morris
    BBC News Online

    Keyham bomb
    Image caption,

    The bomb presents a number of challenges

    It's going to take "some time" to make the Plymouth bomb safe, according to a civilian expert.

    Mike Sainsbury of unexploded ordnance specialists Zetica, said the suspected World War Two German bomb presented a number of challenges to the Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.

    "There is a bit of a trend at the moment in the military to try and render the item the whole bomb safe in situ," he said.

    "But I think that's going to be a challenge here because of the residential area and the potential damage."

    Keyham cordon
    Image caption,

    A cordon is in place around the area where the bomb was found

    A cordon is in place around the area where the bomb was found in St Michael Avenue, Keyham.

    Mr Sainsbury said the bomb appeared to be in "quite a vulnerable position".

    "It's going to take some time to get to it and then if they do decide to render it safe in situ or you don't move it that's going to take some preparation," he said.

    "They're going to have to look at blast damage and potentially putting in some mitigation."

    He said the fuse on the bomb was key to making the the ordnance safe.

    "Hopefully it's not a fuse that's particularly sensitive," he said.

    "The explosives inside are relatively stable, but obviously, if you can't make the fuse safe, then it becomes a little bit more tricky to deal with."

    He said the bomb was a quarter the size of the 2,200lb (998kg) bomb which was detonated in Exeter in 2021.

    "It's still a fair size lump of metal, the tail fins are corroded away or broken off," he said.

    "So you have just got this very large, heavy piece of metal there that's difficult to move in its own right, let alone the explosive content."

  4. Council helping accommodate some displaced residentspublished at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Staff helping at Beacon CentreImage source, Plymouth City Council
    Image caption,

    Staff are supporting those displaced at the Beacon Centre

    People are still being asked to stay away from their homes while work continues to make the bomb safe, Plymouth City Council (PCC) says.

    Residents living within 200m (656ft) of the area of the property around St Michael Avenue were evacuated from their properties on Tuesday "for their safety".

    PCC said: "Bomb disposal experts continue to work on plans to make the unexploded device safe and it is still likely that the exclusion area will need to be expanded to enable this to happen."

    Residents who were provided with temporary accommodation on Tuesday will have their accommodation rebooked for them tonight, and can use the Beacon Centre on North Prospect Road during the day.

    Staff from the council, Livewell Southwest and Plymouth Community Homes are at the centre to offer support.

    "We appreciate the patience of Keyham residents as agencies work together on arrangements to enable an unexploded wartime device to be made safe," PCC added.

  5. Unexploded WW2 bombs discovered in the pastpublished at 13:10 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Bomb site Exeter
    Image caption,

    Thousands were evacuated in Exeter in 2021

    What is happening in Plymouth is not new to the South West.

    Hundreds of thousands of bombs were dropped on Britain during World War Two, with many remaining undetonated.

    In 2021, an unexploded bomb was found in Exeter - resulting in a military response, and more than 2,600 households and University of Exeter halls being evacuated.

    There was extensive damage to nearby properties after the bomb was detonated in a controlled explosion.

    It left behind a crater the size of three double-decker buses.

    In 2018, parts of Teignmouth were evacuated after an explosive was discovered by two men scuba diving, and in March 2023, a device with US Navy markings was destroyed in a controlled explosion on Leas Foot beach in Devon.

    Other incidents include ordnance being found on beaches around the region and last month, a bomb discovered on a fishing trawler in Looe.

  6. Evacuees' wait continues amid WW2 bomb alertpublished at 12:51 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Keyham cordon
    Image caption,

    The cordon remains in place this morning

    Hundreds of people are still away from their homes, after an unexploded World War Two bomb was found in Plymouth.

    About 1,200 people were told to leave their homes on Tuesday when a major incident was declared.

    It is believed the bomb was discovered several days ago in St Michael Avenue in Keyham, but the authorities were only recently told.

    Police say a 200m (656ft) cordon has been put in place while bomb disposal experts try to make the device safe.

    Keyham cordon
    Image caption,

    About 1,200 people were evacuated on Tuesday when a major incident was declared

    Keyham cordon
    Image caption,

    Police say a 200m (650ft) cordon has been put in place while bomb disposal experts try to make the device safe

  7. 'Be suspicious' of strange objects in your gardenpublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Jonathan Morris
    BBC News Online

    Keyham bombImage source, FPS Images
    Image caption,

    Not much is known about the Keyham bomb

    Plymouth people have every right to be suspicious of strange objects found in their garden, says a historian.

    Not much is known about the Keyham bomb apart from its shape in the few pictures that have emerged of it.

    But Plymouth had a wide array of bombs dropped on it during World War Two, said historian Dr Harry Bennett.

    "At the upper end, you're commonly dealing with 1,000kg bombs, the same kind that caused all the problems in Exeter a few years ago, with really quite profound consequences in terms of the building area around there," he said.

    Exeter bombImage source, Jess Stephens
    Image caption,

    The bomb in Exeter caused widespread damage when it was detonated

    He added: "They go down by stages 500kg, 250kg, 50kg, right down to comparatively small incendiary bombs of 1kg to 2kg.

    "So it's an important reminder that bombs do come in literally all sorts of shapes and sizes.

    "So if you do find something in your garden, you know, literally be suspicious in terms of what it might actually be and how much Second World War ordinance has been found in the decades since."

  8. Safety is the priority, evacuee sayspublished at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Hannah Jacobs
    Image caption,

    Hannah Jacobs was evacuated on Tuesday

    One resident said she was worried about her home but the main priority had to be safety.

    Hannah Jacobs spoke to the BBC as she returned to her house to collect more essential items.

    She said: "We're lucky we've got family we're able to pitch up with.

    "It doesn't feel great that our home might not be safe."

    Ms Jacobs said the main priority was to make sure everything was dealt with safely to ensure the safety of the emergency services, "others, and the houses in the area".

  9. 'Bombs were falling all over the Plymouth area'published at 11:39 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Jonathan Morris
    BBC News Online

    Charles ChurchImage source, Google

    The remains of Charles Church in Plymouth are testament to the bombing of the city during World War Two.

    Historian Dr Harry Bennett, of the University of Plymouth, said 22,000 houses were destroyed by the Luftwaffe and almost 1,200 people were killed in the city.

    "Plymouth was very heavily bombed in the city centre, the dockyard and the area behind it, including Keyham," he said.

    "Bombs were falling all over the Plymouth area, including across the border in places like Torpoint and Saltash."

    He said every four or five years an unexploded bomb emerged in the city area.

    "I think everybody's thoughts are with the families that have been affected in Keyham," he said.

    "In a city which was devastated by The Blitz, it really is a kind of powerful reminder of the kind of sacrifice of the war years and the fact that incidents like this can continue every so often."

  10. Keyham police tell drone operators to steer clearpublished at 11:18 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Anyone flying a drone over the area affected by the bomb alert has been told they will be breaking the law., external

    Devon and Cornwall Police's drone team said the "ongoing major incident" was "located inside existing restricted airspace" because it was near the Devonport naval base.

    The force said that made it illegal to fly a drone in the red area and only the Civil Aviation Authority could make an exemption.

    Map of banned drone areaImage source, Devon and Cornwall Police
    Image caption,

    It is illegal to fly a drone in the red area due to existing restricted airspace

  11. Resident 'only person left' on her streetpublished at 10:51 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Jessie Hitchcock resident
    Image caption,

    Jessie Hitchcock stayed at home on Tuesday evening despite advice to leave

    Jessie Hitchcock lives in the cordoned off area and said her friend had alerted her to the situation.

    Despite advice from the police and the council to leave, Ms Hitchcock decided to stay at home on Tuesday evening.

    She said: "I was on my way home last night and my friend, who knows I live in Keyham, sent me a picture and was like, 'oh my god look at what's happened', and I was like - 'that's my house'.

    "I'm the only person left... I got up in the night and I looked out of the window, and normally I see all the lights on and all I saw was a police car outside my house."

    Ms Hitchcock said she was going to "see what my mum says" when asked if she would be staying at home again tonight.

    "If I hear anything then I'll find elsewhere to stay, I think it just depends on the updates through the day," she said.

    People have been advised to avoid the area where possible and residents have been offered shelter at North Prospect Library and in local community centres.

    They have been advised to stay with friends or family nearby until the device has been dealt with.

  12. Accommodation support 'may be needed if cordon extended'published at 10:36 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Julie Harvey - Keyham resident
    Image caption,

    Julie Harvey says she wants more communication from the police

    A mother of two has said she might need the council to help with accommodation if the cordon was extended.

    Julie Harvey said: "We haven't really got anywhere else to stay other than our property.

    "I've got two children... my son has school transport so it's really affecting the daily routine, the kids are quite anxious going out today, worrying if school is going to be closed.

    "With the weather as well it's just made things a bit trickier this morning."

    Ms Harvey said she would like the police to provide more information, as "we just don't know how long it'll go on for".

  13. Number of evacuees is about 1,200 - policepublished at 10:23 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Keyham cordon

    The precise number are evacuees is not known, but according to police it is thought to be about 1,200.

    This figure is based on an average of 2.5 people for each evacuated property.

    That number could rise today because the cordon is expected to be widened.

  14. Evacuees needing medicines from home get advicepublished at 10:06 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Keyham bomb disposal team

    Keyham residents evacuated from their homes who need to collect medicine are being advised to approach police officers at the cordon, external around St Michael Avenue.

    NHS Devon said in the event of medical issues, people could call 111 or, in an emergency, 999.

  15. Keyham residents forced to leave homes in WW2 bomb alertpublished at 09:53 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Hundreds of people have been forced to leave their homes in the Keyham area of Plymouth after an unexploded World War Two bomb was found in a garden in St Michael Avenue.

    Police say a 200m (656ft) cordon could be in place for 24 or 36 hours while bomb disposal experts work to make the device safe.

    The area was heavily bombed during the war in an attempt to damage the nearby naval facilities.

    MapImage source, Google
  16. Buses diverted around WW2 bomb cordonpublished at 09:33 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Bus

    Buses around the Keyham area have been disrupted by the cordon around the St Michael Avenue area.

    Plymouth City Bus said the 14 service is diverted via Saltash Road, external, the 33 will not serve Moor View or Station Road and will use Melville Road instead and the 112 is not serving Royal Navy Avenue or Admiralty St.

  17. Plymouth targeted during WW2 due to naval yardpublished at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    The sustained German bombing of major British cities in World War Two began towards the end of the Battle of Britain.

    The Luftwaffe was ordered to switch its targets from RAF infrastructure to urban centres of industrial and political significance.

    Plymouth was targeted because of its importance as a major naval port and the bombing led to much of the pre-war city being destroyed.

    Some 1,178 civilians were killed in the bombing of Plymouth.

    Destroyed building in Plymouth after bombing in World War TwoImage source, Getty Images

    The bomb book, external - which details the raids and maps where the bombs landed - was compiled during the Town Clerk’s Department.

    It lists 59 raids from 6 July 1940 until 30 April 1944.

    The most intensive bombings were 20-22 March 1941 and 21-23 and 29-30 April 1941, including the greatest loss of civilian life came when the Portland Square air raid shelter was struck on 22 April 1941, leaving 76 people dead.

  18. WW2 bomb: Family of seven searching for accommodationpublished at 09:01 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Nicola Imrey lives two streets away from the home where the bomb was found.

    She and her family of seven and three dogs have moved in with her grandma who lives on Royal Navy Avenue.

    Police have said the cordon will be extended, which means they might need to find somewhere else to stay.

    She said: "It is awkward but I suppose they're doing what they need to do to protect Keyham with this bomb.

    "At the moment we're just looking for anywhere that will shelter us for the next few days."

  19. WW2 bomb: Ordnance disposal experts on scenepublished at 08:55 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    Bomb disposal van

    The Royal Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has been seen at the scene as it works to make the unexploded wartime device safe.

    Police have asked people to avoid the area.

  20. WW2 bomb: Cordon likely to be widened laterpublished at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

    The cordon stopping people from accessing the area where a World War Two bomb was found is expected to be widened later.

    BBC Radio Devon's Richard Green said police are set to extend the current 200m (656ft) cordon later in the day.

    He said the device was about a 1m (3ft 3in) long and 50cm (1ft 8in) in diameter.