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Plymouth homes evacuated within 400m of suspected WW2 ordnance

Police say around 1,200 homes are being evacuated, after a suspected unexploded World War Two device was found at a building site. Plymouth City Council said the cordon was extended to 400m (1,300ft) following advice from military bomb disposal experts to "allow specialist teams to continue their work safely". Devon and Cornwall Police said the centre of the cordon was at Flamborough Road, in the Southway area of Plymouth, Devon, after reports were received at about 14:30 BST. The force added: "Officers are knocking on any impacted properties and we are working with partners to convene plans for any displaced residents. Please do not travel into or attend this area." Insp Gareth Hammett, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said the ordnance was a suspected unexploded WW2 device. He added the police endeavoured to "resolve this incident as quickly as possible". "We do not underestimate the impact and the inconvenience... but we'd also like to reassure the public that we're working quickly and closely with our partners to try and bring this incident to a conclusion." He said approximately 1,200 homes were being evacuated and the Royal Navy ordinance disposal team were on site surveying t

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May 2, 2026
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May 2, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet report
People get back to 'normality' after Plymouth WW2 bomb disposal

A community is starting to get back to "normality" after a World War Two bomb was made safe and detonated in Plymouth. Devon and Cornwall Police officers have been in the Southway area offering reassurance to people affected after the…

Read original at BBC →
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May 2026

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May 2, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportLATEST
People get back to 'normality' after Plymouth WW2 bomb disposal

A community is starting to get back to "normality" after a World War Two bomb was made safe and detonated in Plymouth. Devon and Cornwall Police officers have been in the Southway area offering reassurance to people…

Read original at BBC →

April 2026

1 update
Apr 29, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportOPENING
Plymouth homes evacuated within 400m of suspected WW2 ordnance

Police say around 1,200 homes are being evacuated, after a suspected unexploded World War Two device was found at a building site. Plymouth City Council said the cordon was extended to 400m (1,300ft) following advice…

Read original at BBC →

Sources & evidence (2)

What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.

T2 · Outlet report× 2
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T2 · Outlet reportBBCMay 2, 2026

A community is starting to get back to "normality" after a World War Two bomb was made safe and detonated in Plymouth. Devon and Cornwall Police officers have been in the Southway area offering reassurance to people affected after the…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportBBCApr 29, 2026

Police say around 1,200 homes are being evacuated, after a suspected unexploded World War Two device was found at a building site. Plymouth City Council said the cordon was extended to 400m (1,300ft) following advice from military bomb…

View source →

Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary

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