Cordon remains after '250kg WW2 missile' found

A cordon remains in place for a second day after a suspected unexploded bomb was found in a dock in Cornwall.

Emergency services were called to Falmouth Docks at 09:15 BST on Monday after a suspected 250kg (550lb) American World War Two missile was found in the water, which resulted in a 300m (984ft) exclusion zone. The cordon has been reduced to cover just the docks and waters around it.

Devon and Cornwall Police said three residential properties had been evacuated as a precaution and urged the public to stay away from restricted zones.

Specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) were "assessing the device" and Falmouth Harbour said "the object will be moved for disposal", officers added.

"It's believed to be a 250kg American missile from World War Two," police said in an update on Monday.

Supt Int Vicky Howell said the force had "extended the cordon around Falmouth Docks" yesterday afternoon "following the discovery of a suspected unexploded ordnance device".

"We ask people to continue avoiding the area and to follow any instructions given by emergency services personnel," she added.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall this morning, the Falmouth Town Council member for Arwenack, Laurie Mcgowan said "a large number of people had been affected," but praised authorities for their handling of the situation.

He said: "It's not everyday you wake up and understand there's an unexploded device within your ward, and I'm sure that was the case for residents who live close to the issue as well.

"I think the decision around what happens next will be telling in terms of whether they look to take the device away to dispose of it, whether there needs to be any form of controlled explosion within the site."

Mcgowan said he was "keeping in contact to find out what the next steps are", adding he appreciated people's "patience and sensitivity as they have to wait".

Tilly Ogilvie, who lives in student accommodation in the cordoned road, told BBC Radio Cornwall she was not allowed back home.

She said: "They told me to go as far as I could but they weren't evacuating people."

She added officers at the scene had been unable to confirm exactly when she would be able to go home.

Bryony Mirfin said the first she heard about the incident at the docks was on social media.

She said: "I've lived here for a long time, so it reminded me of when the acetylene tanks were going off [in a fire] 20 years ago.

"It's not even the first time it's happened."

Beatrice Venner also lives in the student flats within the cordon.

The second-year student said police told her to "wait it out" as they were "waiting for information from the bomb disposal people".

She said: "The bomb disposal people, it's their job... so hopefully they can dispose of the bomb."

She added: "I'm from Devon, so this sort of thing happens in Plymouth quite a lot".

A military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, Devon and Cornwall Police, and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have been in attendance.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "Royal Navy Bomb disposal experts, Bravo Squadron of the Diving and Threat Exploitation Group, based at HMNB Devonport, are currently assisting Devon and Cornwall Police in the assessment of suspected unexploded ordnance found at Falmouth Docks."

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.