Plymouth homes evacuated and schools closed as bomb disposal team deployed | UK | News
A large police cordon has been established in Plymouth in England after “suspicious ammunition” was found and hundreds of residents were evacuated.
Last night (April 29), an ammunition was found at a construction site on Flamborough Road in the Southway area of the city, and a nearby Aldi supermarket was also closed as a precaution.
Oakwood Primary School and Little Acorns Nursery School will be closed today as they are both within the initial 400 meter cordon that has been introduced. Beechwood Primary School, which is not currently within the 400-metre cordon but is close to the affected area, has also been advised not to open today (April 30). Plymouth City Council said schools would contact parents and carers directly to provide further information and guidance.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Department attended “to assess the item”. The force also said the exclusion zone was increased from 100 meters to 200 meters, then to 400 meters, and hundreds of residents were evacuated.
A council spokesman said it was not known at this stage how long the cordon would need to remain in place.
A spokesman said: “Royal Navy unexploded ordnance (UXO) experts worked throughout the night to continue their assessment of the device discovered at Southway and determine the safest way to secure it.
“Meanwhile, efforts to evacuate approximately 1,260 households within the 400-metre cordon continue. Devon and Cornwall Police, supported by volunteers from a range of agencies such as the Coastguard, are continuing door-to-door visits to provide residents with information and encourage people to leave their homes for their own safety.”
An evacuation center has been set up at Southway Youth and Community Center to assist residents. Public transport is also affected, particularly services 42A, 101, 102, 107, 42 and 41.
