3 wartime grenades pulled out of the River Soar in Leicester

Three wartime grenades have been discovered in the River Soar in Leicester by a group of magnet fishermen, leading to a significant security operation. As a precaution, police cordoned off two areas south of the city centre, restricting public access and halting river traffic.

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was deployed on two separate occasions: first to Western Boulevard and later to Liberty Island, off Upperton Road. Nearby Castle Gardens and Castle Park were evacuated, and narrowboats were temporarily stopped from navigating the River Soar. The grenades were ultimately transported to a secure location in a nearby field, where they were safely destroyed in a controlled explosion.

How common are these UXO finds?

Two of the recovered grenades were identified as Mills Bombs, a type of fragmentation hand grenade widely used by the British Army during both World Wars. Due to their mass production and extensive use, Mills grenades are among the most frequently discovered historic military ordnance items in the UK.

The third device, however, was a rarer find – a WWI-era rifle grenade. Unlike hand-thrown grenades, rifle grenades were launched from the barrel of a standard rifle using a special attachment. This allowed for greater range and effectiveness on the battlefield. This particular example would have originally featured a long metal rod (now missing) that was inserted into the rifle barrel. Like the Mills grenade, it was designed to fragment on detonation, creating a lethal blast radius.

Why were these grenades found in the River Soar?

There are several possible explanations for how these grenades ended up in the River Soar. One of the most common reasons is wartime and post-war disposal. During World War II and in the years that followed, surplus ammunition and explosives were often discarded in rivers, lakes, and ponds as a quick and easy way to get rid of hazardous materials. Rather than dealing with proper disposal methods, many individuals and military personnel simply threw unwanted munitions into the water, adopting an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality.

Additionally, rivers and waterways may have served as makeshift dumping grounds for civilians who came across unexploded ordnance in storage, abandoned sites, or old military stockpiles. Over time, shifting sediments and erosion can bring these hidden dangers closer to the surface, increasing the likelihood of discovery by magnet fishers, construction workers, or recreational divers.

UXO risk and safety considerations

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains a serious safety hazard across the UK, particularly in areas with significant wartime history. While most munitions degrade over time, many can still pose a real danger if disturbed. Magnet fishing has become an increasingly popular hobby, but it carries inherent risks when explosives are unexpectedly recovered. If you ever come across a suspicious object while fishing, digging, or conducting groundworks, do not attempt to handle or move it – instead, report it to the authorities immediately.

At Brimstone UXO, we provide comprehensive UXO risk management services, including:

• UXO Risk Assessments to identify potential hazards on your site.
• UXO surveys and investigations to locate and assess buried ordnance.
• Safe UXO disposal and controlled detonations conducted by our expert EOD engineers.

If you require UXO support for your project or need professional advice, our dedicated team is here to help. Visit our website to explore our services or use our online tool to determine the best solution for your needs.

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