Magnet Fisherman Finds Unexploded Grenade in River

A metal detectorist and magnet fisherman from Dorchester has uncovered an unexploded grenade while fishing in the River Frome. This alarming discovery highlights the ongoing risks posed by historic unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the UK’s waterways.

A startling find: third unexploded grenade pulled from river

Mr Hill, an experienced magnet fisherman, immediately recognised the grenade after retrieving it from the water. Having previously found a similar device, and unknowingly taken it home before realising it was UXO, he knew to call the authorities right away.

“I was magnet fishing by myself in the River Frome near the road behind Dorchester Prison when I pulled it up out of the water at around 2 PM. I called the police straightaway as I realised what it was. When I pulled it up, I thought, ‘oh no, not another one.’ This will be the third one I have found personally and the fourth by the Dorset Magnet Fishing Community,” Mr Hill said.

Dorset Police confirmed they received a report at 2:35 PM regarding a rusty, unexploded grenade. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was notified, and a safety cordon was put in place to protect the public.

A warning from UXO specialists

Explosives experts have repeatedly warned that WWII-era grenades remain highly dangerous, even after decades underwater. Despite their age, the risk of detonation is still a serious concern, particularly when these items are handled or moved improperly.

Magnet fishers across the UK frequently encounter unexploded ordnance. Earlier this year, an unexploded grenade from WWII was found in Lancashire. In another case, a magnet fisherman from the West Midlands pulled 19 unexploded grenades from a single location near Birmingham.

What are Mills bombs?

The most commonly discovered grenades in the UK are known as Mills Bombs. These hand grenades were first produced before World War I and remained the British military’s standard-issue grenade until the 1970s. There were four main variants:

• No.5 – The original version introduced in 1915.
• No.23 – An updated design with additional fragmentation features.
• No.36 – The most widely used WWII-era version.
• No.36M – A waterproofed variant coated with shellac for use in tropical environments.

Due to their widespread use, Mills Bombs are frequently discovered in rivers, lakes, and former military training areas across the UK.

UXO risk management: how Brimstone UXO can help

At Brimstone UXO, we provide expert UXO risk management services to help mitigate the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance. Our services include:

• UXO Risk Assessments – Evaluating potential risks at construction sites and development projects.
• UXO Surveys & Investigations – Using specialist detection equipment to locate buried explosives.
• UXO Awareness Training – Educating workers on how to respond to UXO discoveries.

If you need UXO support but are unsure where to start, use our handy online tool to find the right service for your project.

For the latest UXO news and safety tips, follow Brimstone UXO on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Visit our website today to explore our full range of UXO services.