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
Alex Green
BBC News
BBC Spotlight's Janine Jansen is reporting from the cordon in Plymouth, external this afternoon.
She said the streets were "crazy busy" this afternoon, with emergency service crews on standby, preparing to support the military convoy as they transport the bomb through the city.
Georgina Barnes
BBC News
Police have asked people not to call 101 regarding the military convoy, which will be moving the WW2 bomb to Torpoint Ferry slipway.
The transportation of the bomb was meant to take place between 14:00 and 17:00 GMT, though timings have slipped and it hasn't been moved yet.
Police officers are helping to redirect traffic around the city.
Plymouth City Council said Royal Navy Avenue, Saltash Road, Albert Road, Park Avenue and Ferry Road would all be closed.
The German bomb is set to be moved by military convoy from the Keyham area of the city to the Torpoint Ferry slipway and then disposed of at sea.
George Thorpe
BBC South West
A senior Devon and Cornwall Police officer says the operation to evacuate people on the route of the bomb removal is the "most challenging he has known".
Chief Supt Ian Drummond-Smith said on X, formerly Twitter: "The most challenging evacuation I have known.
"Thank you to all the community for their patience and good spirits.
"We’ll be coming door-to-door in the evacuation zone shortly."
Image source, PA MediaWith the bomb due to be moved soon, emergency services are working to ensure local residents in the Keyham area have been evacuated to safety.
Image source, PA MediaPeople in the area have been urged to leave their homes from 13:30 to 17:00 GMT.
Residents have been pictured carrying their belongings in bags, and a few of their pets too.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaA night shift worker has described how she was woken up by an emergency warning sent to her phone.
Residents in the Keyham area were sent a loud alert to their phones shortly after noon advising them the unexploded bomb would be moved.
Jeannette Ssentongo said: “I didn’t know what was going on.
“I thought, ‘Oh my goodness I have to pick my kid up from school.'”
Ms Ssentongo said she was glad the bomb was going to be moved.
“Every morning I was at work checking my phone,” she said.
“It’s been a worry.”
Brodie Owen
BBC South West
Police and council workers are knocking on doors in the Keyham area advising residents to leave their homes now.
The roads in the temporary cordon were closed at 13:30 GMT, ahead of the undetonated bomb being moved by the army at 14:00.
Brodie Owen
BBC South West
Keyham resident El Clarke said the past hour had been a “mad scramble” to round up her five pet cats.
Ms Clarke was told to leave her home by police ahead of the unexploded bomb being moved.
She said: “It’s been a mad scramble trying to round up all the cats.
“The police have told us we won’t be allowed back until later this afternoon.
"It’s been really worrying but I’m glad it’s all going to be over soon.”
Tamsin Melville
BBC South West
The operation to move the World War Two bomb has started with roads between Keyham and the Torpoint Ferry's slipway being closed.
Police officers on St Aubyn Road
Georgina Barnes
BBC South West
People in the new cordon have been asked not to return home to collect any items.
The German bomb is set to be moved by military convoy from the Keyham area of the city to the Torpoint Ferry slipway and then disposed of at sea.
A new cordon of 300m (984ft) has been introduced so the device can be removed.
Plymouth City Council said the Life Centre would remain open for those affected, and that it anticipated people would be able to return home by 17:00 GMT.
People can check if their road is impacted on the council's tracker, external.
Georgina Barnes
BBC News
Work to prevent a "devastating impact" on Keyham has been done by all involved, a council member has said.
Giles Perritt, assistant chief executive at Plymouth City Council, said teams had used "every minute" they could to get the operation right.
"Officers and partners have been working around the clocks since this incident started to come up with the best and safest solution to deal with this device," he said.
"I've had staff who have turned around on their way home and come back to work to help with this."
Mr Perritt said "well over 1,000" had been involved behind the scenes and on the frontline.
He also thanked the media for keeping people up to date.
Tamsin Melville
BBC South West
Motorists in Plymouth are preparing for several road closures ahead of the World War Two bomb being moved from Keyham.
One driver, Mike, told the BBC: "I know a few friends who have had to evacuate, but yeah, it's just a bit of a nightmare.
"It's going to cause chaos today, isn't it?"
George Thorpe
BBC South West
An emergency alert has been sent to people living in parts of Plymouth.
The alert, sent out to warn people there is a danger to life nearby, said: "Issued by Plymouth City Council. The WWII bomb found in Keyham will be transported today 23 February 2024 at 2pm to Torpoint Ferry slipway via Saltash Road.
"A time limited cordon will be in place along this route between 2pm until an estimated 5pm.
"You are asked to leave and stay away from the cordoned area for this time period.
"For more information about the route, cordon and support - go to the Plymouth City Council website.
"Visit gov.uk/alerts, external for more information."
Image source, PA MediaAlex Green
BBC News
Military experts and partner agencies agreed the safest and least impactful option was to remove the device from St Michael Avenue and travel to the Torpoint Ferry slipway – for the bomb to be disposed of at sea beyond the breakwater.
Highly-trained bomb disposal experts will carefully remove the device from the property and it will be transported by road in a military convoy, west along Parkside and Royal Navy Avenue, joining at the junction on Saltash Road to continue south joining Albert Road, turning right along Park Avenue and heading down Ferry Road to the Torpoint Ferry terminal.
Image source, Plymouth City CouncilPeople within the latest cordon have been asked to leave their homes by 14:00 GMT and prepare to be away from home for three hours, until 17:00
Brodie Owen
BBC South West
I am near Barton Avenue in the Keyham area of the city where a steady stream of residents inside the new cordon have been coming home to collect items.
There are police officers standing on every corner advising residents what to do.
People are generally happy the situation is coming to a head - albeit a tad annoyed at the inconvenience of the past few days.
I witnessed a man talking to an officer telling him he would not be moving.
The officer calmly replied he was able to do as he wished but the advice was there for his own safety.
Police have also been assisting residents move their animals from their homes.
One resident I spoke to said the bizarre situation of the past few days was simply part and parcel of living in a city with a wartime past.
Tamsin Melville
BBC South West
Employees have been streaming out of Babcock, at Devonport Dockyard, this lunchtime after non-essential staff were asked to leave as a safety precaution.
The area is busy with Royal Navy bomb disposal vehicles and police cars, with roads already closed and signs warning of disruption on the Torpoint Ferry.
George Thorpe
BBC South West
Plymouth City Council says road closures for experts to move the bomb out of the city are being put in place.
A message on X, formerly known as Twitter, from the Plymouth Highways account, external said: "Keyham update - The surrounding road closures are now being put in place ready for the movement of the device."
Brodie Owen
BBC South West
Kelly and Nick Morris live on Townshend Avenue in Keyham and were told to leave their home on Tuesday.
They have been allowed back in to collect some personal belongings.
Mr Morris said the past few days had been a “nightmare” and he is glad the undetonated bomb is being taken out to sea
“I’ll be glad to get home,” he said.
“It is what it is - I’d rather it be blown up out in the Sound than blown up here.”
George Thorpe
BBC South West
Great Western Railway (GWR) said the line between Plymouth and Liskeard will be shut from 14:00 to 18:00 GMT while the World War Two bomb is moved.
GWR said tickets will still be valid later on Friday and Saturday for any passengers who have to delay their journey.
The train operator has given this advice:
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Brodie Owen
BBC South West
Police are getting in position to move the cordon in Keyham.
Residents are beginning to leave their homes ahead of the roads being closed at 13:30 GMT.
