Bomb squad called to WW2 tank shell on beach

A police cordon was put in place after an old tank shell was found on Weymouth beach.

Officers blocked off the pavilion end of the beach this morning (Thursday, April 11), after an ‘unexploded device’ was found on the shore.

It is understood that that the device later rolled into the sea and a cone was put in place to mark its location.

The beach has since been reopened.

Police cordon on Weymouth Beach (Image: Wyke Coastguard CRT)

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians were safely able to remove the device later on which was identified as an old tank shell.

Due to the shape and condition of it had already been used and destroyed and causing no threat was removed and taken away for disposal.

EOD Technicians locate, identify, render safe, and explosively dispose of foreign and domestic ordnance including conventional, chemical, biological, nuclear, underwater, and terrorist-type devices.

Police and coastguard blocking beach (Image: Geoff Moore)

A passer-by who did not wish to be named said: “I was walking my dog along the beach when I saw the police and they told me that the cordon was in place due to an unexploded device.

“I believe it washed into the sea – It was a bit of a shock to see this morning.”

A crew from Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team also responded to the incident.

A spokesperson for Wyke Coastguard said: "When we arrived the ordinance had just been covered by the incoming tide.

"A safety cordon was put in place and area of the beach closed.

"Photos was taken by police just before we arrived and submerged which was passed to our control room and again to EOD (bomb disposal).

"From there assessment of the pictures it was decided they would deploy and attend from Plymouth to assess further and discard.

"Once on scene they identified the item to be ordnance of an old tank shell. Due to the shape and condition of it had already been used and destroyed and causing no threat was removed and taken away for disposal.

"The cordon was then removed and beach reopened."

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard is responding to reports of ordnance on Weymouth Beach this morning, April 11.

"We were alerted at around 8.15am, Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene, alongside Dorset Police."

Corden cone on beach (Image: NQ)