Bomb disposal experts were called to a Northumberland housing estate today following the discovery of a a high-explosive 4.5-inch shell believed to be from the Second World War device.
Shortly before 11am this morning, Northumbria Police were alerted to the discovery at Bellway's Arcot Manor site in Cramlington. Officers responded and cordoned off a section of the estate before bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion.
Some residents were unable to return to their homes while experts worked to dispose of the device safely. Jack Soulsby returned to his estate find the road to his property had been cordoned off. He said that a group chat for residents on the estate explained that a bomb had been discovered on the housing development.
Read more: Cramlington 'bomb' LIVE: Updates as suspected World War Two device found
The 25-year-old added: "There's meant to be a bomb but the police haven't told me anything. I'm meant to be going to sleep because I'm on nightshift tonight but I can't get in."
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I only heard about what was happening from the group chat for the estate. Other than that I've heard nothing. I haven’t been told to stay in or leave the house so I must be far enough away from it all."
At around 3pm this afternoon bomb disposal experts were able to carry out a controlled explosion at the scene and the estate has now fully reopened.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 11am today (Thursday) we received a call about a suspected unexploded Second World War device located at an address in Churston Gardens, Cramlington."
"The device has now been disposed of safely and residents in the area are able to return to their homes.", a spokesperson added.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We can confirm an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from 521 Sqn, 11 EOD & S Regt RLC was called out to Fisher lane, Cramlington, NE23 1WG at the request of local police.
“The team identified a high-explosive 4.5 inch shell, likely WW2 era. The Item was safely destroyed in situ.”
A spokesperson for Bellway said: "Following the discovery of an unexploded device on Bellway's Arcot Manor site in Cramlington, the police and subsequently, a military team were called to safely dispose of the device. The safety of our residents, staff, contractors and the wider community remains our priority and we have worked with the emergency service to ensure the safety of everyone involved."
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