Unexploded bomb delivered to factory in Bury St Edmunds
The bomb squad was called to the British Sugar factory in Bury St Edmunds after an unexploded bomb was discovered in a sugar beet delivery. The surprising discovery, made on Tuesday 15th November, prompted immediate action to ensure the safety of factory staff and the surrounding area.
Details of the incident
Police were alerted to the situation at approximately 12:10 PM. The unexploded ordnance (UXO) was identified within the sugar beet load during processing at the factory’s stone removal system. Fortunately, the ordnance was isolated before it could pose a danger to staff or the facility.
A police spokeswoman confirmed: “We were advised the bomb disposal squad took something away with them. It looks to be an unexploded bomb.” No site evacuation or road closures were necessary, and the incident was resolved without significant disruption. By 3:45 PM, both the police and the bomb disposal unit had left the scene.
Mike Blowers, the factory manager at British Sugar in Bury St Edmunds, provided further details: “Today at the Bury factory a small piece of military ordnance was delivered within a sugar beet load. It was separated from the beet in our stone removal system, isolated and then dealt with by the Royal Logistics Bomb Disposal Unit.”
Why does UXO appear in agricultural loads?
The discovery highlights a little-known risk associated with agricultural activities in regions with historical ties to military activity. During WWII, extensive bombing campaigns and military training exercises often left UXO scattered across rural areas of the country. Over time, these buried items can become unearthed through farming and construction activities.
In this case, the sugar beet load likely originated from farmland that had inadvertently disturbed buried ordnance. Such occurrences, while rare, underscore the importance of vigilance and effective risk management practices in industries handling large quantities of soil or crops.
How Brimstone UXO Supports Industries at Risk
At Brimstone, we specialise in UXO risk management and mitigation. Our expert team works across various industries, including agriculture, construction, and infrastructure development, to ensure the safety of workers and the public. Key services we provide include:
- Site-specific risk assessments: Identifying potential UXO hazards before operations begin.
- Surveying and detection: Using advanced technologies to locate and map UXO.
- On-site UXO support: Qualified EOD engineers monitor ground intrusions to ensure site safety.
- UXO clearance: Safely removing and disposing of unexploded ordnance to eliminate risks and prevent disruptions.
Lessons from the Bury St Edmunds incident
This incident serves as a reminder of the unexpected ways UXO can appear and the importance of having robust safety measures in place. The swift action by the British Sugar factory team and the bomb disposal unit ensured the ordnance was handled without incident.
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