Wartime rocket dumped at rubbish tip

[Kyt]

Wartime rocket dumped at rubbish tip

POLICE have warned the public not to hoard potentially dangerous ammunition after the discovery of a Second World War shell at a refuse tip.

The discovery of the bazooka rocket was made by staff at Knowle Hill civic amenity centre in Salterton Road, Exmouth, on Tuesday.

A Royal Navy bomb disposal team was then called from Plymouth.

The shell, designed for use against tanks, is understood to have been "a dud" and was removed by the bomb disposal team.

The projectile, measuring 2ft 6in long and about 10in round, was found in a rusty state in the household rubbish compound shortly before 4pm.
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Deputy manager Ian Vinson revealed it was the third discovery of armaments at the compound recently. A wooden box full of old bullets and a flare were also found there over the past few days.

"The shell was in a rusty state," he said. "We immediately called the police who contacted the bomb disposal people.

"After the bomb disposal team arrived they closed the site to the public and sent us home.

"It was found when one of our tractors was pushing rubbish against the compound wall and we are assuming it was dumped there by a householder.

"This is very worrying for staff because, in the case of the box of bullets, these could have been set off accidentally."

Sgt Steve Gardner, from Exmouth police, warned people who come across such devices to contact the police so they can be disposed of safely.