A huge police cordon has been set up in Plymouth after a suspected unexploded ordnance was found at a building site in Southway, with around 1,260 households evacuated and schools closed this morning
A map showing the exclusion zone currently in place(Image: Plymouth City Council)
A massive police cordon was established in Plymouth following the discovery of “suspected ordnance” in the city, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that the Royal Navy’s Explosives Ordnance Department attended “to assess the item” discovered at a construction site in the Southway district of the city, on Flamborough Road on Wednesday evening (April 29). The force also stated an exclusion zone was expanded from 100m to 200m and subsequently 400m, with hundreds of residents evacuated.
Approximately 1,260 households within the area are being evacuated this morning (April 30), and it is understood a local Aldi supermarket was also closed as a precautionary measure.
Oakwood Primary School and Little Acorns PreSchool will remain shut today, as both are situated within the initial 400metre safety cordon that was established. Beechwood Primary School, which is not presently within the 400metre cordon, but lies near to the affected zone, was also advised against opening today (April 30).
Plymouth City Council stated schools will be contacting parents and carers directly to provide additional information and guidance.
A council spokesperson mentioned that at this point, it remains unclear how long the cordon would need to stay in place, reports the Express.
A spokesperson stated: “Royal Navy unexploded ordnance (UXO) specialists have worked through the night to continue their assessment of the device discovered in Southway and to determine the safest way to make it secure.
“Meanwhile, efforts to evacuate approximately 1,260 households within the 400-metre safety cordon are ongoing. Devon and Cornwall Police, aided by volunteers from various organisations such as the Coast Guard, are persisting with door-to-door visits to inform residents and urge them to vacate their homes for their own safety.”
An evacuation centre has been established at Southway Youth and Community Centre to assist residents. Public transport is also being disrupted, particularly the following services – 42A, 101, 102, 107, 42 and 41.
The council initially forecasted that residents will not be able to return to their homes for a minimum of two nights.