The lower part of Newport High Street has been cordoned off this morning (Saturday) following the discovery of what is believed to be an unexploded hand grenade.
Police were first called to the scene at around 10:30, quickly dispatching a plethora of resources to the heart of the Island’s County Town.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that the device was handed in at the front counter of Newport Police Station.
Closures are currently in place on High Street between Coppins Bridge and Quay Street. Pyle Street is also closed between South Street and Town Lane.
All shops and businesses within the cordon have been forced to close, with patrons/customers and staff evacuated as a precaution.
As a result of the incident, traffic in Newport Town Centre is very heavy. Island Roads is currently enforcing hard road closures in the area.
UPDATE @ 12:20 – It is thought that Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Experts are on their way but they won’t be on the Island for a few hours.
The current cordons – in their vast expanse – are set to remain for a few hours.
UPDATE @ 14:30 – Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Experts have arrived on scene.
All cordons have now been lifted.
Probaly a discarded Easter egg by a child….
Look, I accept that this is a serious incident but,,, Just how big an explosion do the Police think a hand grenade could cause???? If it caused as much damage as they think we could have won the Gulf wars with a box of 200 and a good throwing arm!!! Come on HM Police, get a tad sensible please.
I was more concerned about the poor sod behind the desk. I wonder if his underpants made it out alive?
Ps…hand grenades kill within 20 meters, fragments maim within 230 meters. Add that in to proximity of traffic and falling masonry and you have your answer.
…and I am sure you would be the first to complain if people had got hurt by an explosion stating “they should have done more and cordoned off more areas….” blah blah blah…. snore…
Wow the way they cordoned off the area and so many places in the high street for a nuclear bomb…..oh wait a possible hand grenade that even the bomb squad couldn’t be bothered to deal with for several hours. It sure seems like something wrong with that all
If we had a bridge or tunnel the bomb
disposal guys would arrive quicker.