Ww2 bomb found in docklands

The bomb, which was embedded in the north bank of the river, was soon revealed to be safe, but explosive teams were thwarted by the tide as they tried to retrieve the wartime shell.

A spokeswoman for the Met Police said: “When officers arrived they discovered it was a solid metal artillery shell measuring about one foot long, but that it was only the end capsule.

“At that point, they came to the conclusion it was not dangerous, but called explosives officers as a precaution. By the time they arrived, the tide was out and they had to wait until the next day to retrieve it.

“Officers were confident there was no danger at all because it wasn’t a complete device.”

An exclusion zone was set up on the north bank stretching 200 metres on either side. The procedure involves contacting boats approaching the area and warning them of the potential danger.

The zone remained in place throughout the night, and the device was removed once the tide went out again.

This is not the first time bomb disposal crews have been dispatched to the island in the last year.

Another World War Two bomb was discovered at a Millharbour construction site on the day of the nearby Red Bull Air Race last July, although it was later found to be filled with concrete.

Helicopters, emergency services and bomb disposal experts also flocked to a bomb alert in Poplar Dock last March, only to discover an orange spongeball skewered with cocktail sticks.

john.hill@wharf.co.uk