Bomb squad called after gun shell sparked evacuations

A bomb squad has confirmed a suspected gun shell found in a Devon city today is safe. Emergency services rushed to Plympton in Plymouth today (Wednesday, October 30) after a resident found a gun shell at a property.

Nearby homes were evacuated and a cordon set up in Grantham Close while the device was examined by the Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD). One local told PlymouthLive: "Residents in the street have been told to stay indoors until further notice. I was visiting a family member and had to ask to leave the street as it’s blocked off but once I had left I wasn’t allowed to return until it was safe to do so."

The EOD inspected the gun shell and deemed it safe. Road closured were later lifted and residents were permitted to return to their homes.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police were notified at around 12.20pm on Wednesday 30 October following reports a suspected gun shell being found at a property at Grantham Close, Plymouth. As a precaution road closures were put in place and a number of people asked to leave their homes.

"The Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (EOD) attended the scene and following an inspection deemed the item safe. Road closures have been lifted and residents able to return home."