Second mortar bomb found in an English park in as many weeks

A 2-inch high-explosive mortar bomb was unearthed by a local metal detectorist in Cumbria yesterday, marking the second such discovery in an English park within two weeks.

The World War II unexploded ordnance (UXO) was found in Rickerby Park, Carlisle, during an afternoon walk. Authorities were alerted, and a bomb disposal team was dispatched to assess and remove the device safely.

A growing pattern of UXO finds

This latest incident follows a similar discovery just 13 days ago in East Anglia, where a suspicious object was spotted in a park. St Edmundsbury Police and a bomb disposal team from Colchester responded to the scene and identified the item as a WWII-era 2-inch mortar smoke bomb. Unlike the Cumbria find, the East Anglian mortar was determined to be non-explosive and was safely recovered for disposal.

These incidents highlight an ongoing issue: the persistent presence of wartime ordnance in the UK’s public spaces.

Are metal detectorists at greater risk of UXO encounters?

Yes, metal detector users face a heightened risk when exploring areas where UXO may be buried. By nature, detecting and retrieving metal objects requires digging, increasing the likelihood of disturbing buried ordnance.

Untrained individuals handling UXO can inadvertently trigger a detonation, making it crucial to exercise extreme caution when unearthing metal objects. If an unknown or suspicious item is discovered, it should be left undisturbed, and authorities should be contacted immediately.

Why are mortar bombs buried beneath public parks?

During World War II, the British War Office requisitioned vast amounts of public land to accommodate and train the influx of Allied forces stationed in England. Parks, fields, and open spaces were transformed into military training grounds, often leaving behind hazardous remnants of live ammunition and unexploded ordnance.

These finds serve as a stark reminder of the wartime activities that took place in these locations and the lingering risks they pose to the public.

UXO risk mitigation

Planning groundworks or excavation in parkland? Brimstone UXO strongly recommends conducting a UXO Risk Assessment to mitigate the potential dangers of unexpected UXO encounters.

With a 24 to 48-hour turnaround, our Preliminary UXO Risk Assessments provide the most cost-effective and fastest way to assess and discount UXO risks on-site. For higher-risk areas, we also offer more in-depth UXO surveys and risk mitigation solutions.

Stay informed about UXO safety and industry updates by following Brimstone UXO on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.