Great Yarmouth bomb: Work to restarts to disarm WW2 device

It comes after work was put on hold overnight due to safety concerns

The bomb (in the pit on the bottom left) was uncovered during dredging earlier this week
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 9th Feb 2023

Work to remove an unexploded World War 2 bomb in Great Yarmouth is restarting, after it was put on hold due to safety concerns overnight.

Explosives experts paused work to cut into the bomb's casing, over fears it was too close to a gas main.

The metre-long 250kg device was uncovered during dredging in the River Yare in the Southtown Road area on Tuesday.

A 400 metre cordon remains in place and local homes and businesses have been evacuated.

The device has been surrounded by a sandbank which was contructed yesterday.

Norfolk Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Nick Davison said: “Throughout this entire operation we are taking the advice of experts from the EOD on the safest option is to disarm this bomb and return to normality.

"Following detailed analysis from experts, the risk of pipes being raptured, should there be a full detonation, has been deemed high unlikely.

"The Norfolk Resilience Forum's Strategic Coordination Group has therefore agreed for EOD to continue with their plan to make the bomb safe.

"While highly unlikely that the worst happens, contingencies are in place with appropriate resources and experts on standby during the next phase of the operation.

“On behalf of all the agencies working together to bring about a safe resolution, I would like to repeat my thanks to the public in Great Yarmouth for their understanding and resilience.

"We know this is disrupting people’s lives and all agencies are working very hard to resolve this as soon as we can but with safety and preservation of life at the heart of what we’re doing.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.