Wartime grenade washes up on Broadstairs beach in Kent

A Royal Logistics Corps bomb disposal team was called to Broadstairs Beach yesterday after a British wartime grenade was discovered along the shoreline. The item of unexploded ordnance (UXO) was safely destroyed in a controlled explosion, ensuring public safety.

Kent – one of Britain’s most UXO-contaminated counties

Kent was a heavily fortified region during World War II due to its strategic location, just 20 miles from Nazi-occupied France. The county’s coastline bristled with fortifications in the early 1940s, and its garrison forces numbered in the tens of thousands. As a result, significant quantities of military equipment, including munitions, were lost or discarded over time.

Finds like this wartime grenade are not uncommon, as ammunition left behind from military activity continues to surface. Additionally, marine UXO—including naval mines, shells, and other ordnance—regularly washes up on beaches worldwide, creating a mixed UXO hazard in coastal areas.

Should the public be concerned about such incidents?

Yes and no. Any UXO item still containing explosives poses a potential hazard if mishandled. Even munitions that have been submerged in water for decades can remain dangerous.

However, unexploded wartime relics generally require significant impact or tampering to detonate. Public safety is maintained as long as UXO is left undisturbed and reported to the authorities immediately. Bomb disposal teams are trained to handle and neutralize such threats swiftly and effectively.

Mitigating UXO risks in coastal areas

Given the frequency of UXO finds in coastal locations, particularly along Britain’s southern and eastern coastlines, we strongly recommend conducting a UXO Risk Assessment before undertaking construction or excavation work in these areas.

At Brimstone UXO, we take a meticulous approach to UXO risk mitigation. Unlike automated systems that rely solely on historical mapping data, we use primary and secondary historical sources, expert analysis, and site-specific intelligence to deliver comprehensive risk assessments. Our tailored approach ensures your projects can proceed safely and without unnecessary delays.

If you require a UXO risk assessment for your site, contact our team today.

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