Falmouth Docks WWII bomb removed and residents can go home

If yours was one of the households asked to leave home in Falmouth this week, you can go back. The unexploded Second World War bomb found off Falmouth Docks has been safely removed, and the evacuation cordon has been lifted.

Residents are free to return to their properties. People are being asked to keep following any instructions from police and other personnel while the emergency response is stood down.

A 250lb bomb and a difficult few days

The device, believed to be a 250lb (113kg) American air-dropped bomb from World War Two, was discovered off the docks on Monday morning (21 September). Military bomb disposal experts worked to make it safe, alongside police, Cornwall Council, the emergency services and a long list of partner organisations.

That multi-agency operation has now concluded, and every cordon put in place has been taken down.

What happens to the bomb now

The device will be disposed of in deep water, well out at sea. So there will be nothing to see or hear from the shore.

The scale of the evacuation

Some 336 households were evacuated. The effort involved 81 police officers and staff, plus 113 volunteers and colleagues from partner agencies.

Superintendent Ian Thompson, policing Commander for West Cornwall, said: “Safety of residents has always been the highest priority for police, Cornwall Council, the military and other partners.

“Our combined efforts have been focussed on allowing everybody to get back to their daily lives as quickly as possible.”

He thanked the Falmouth community for its patience during what he described as a difficult few days, and said the discovery had been followed by “a display of tremendous partnership working”.

‘The news everyone wanted to hear’

Cllr Thalia Marrington, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for Public Safety, said: “This is the news everyone wanted to hear. The device has been safely removed, the cordon has been lifted, and residents can now return to their homes.

“I want to thank the military specialists, emergency services, council teams, partner organisations and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to keep people safe and support those affected.

“I also want to thank residents and businesses for their patience, throughout what has been a worrying and disruptive time.”

Ian also paid tribute to the people who dealt with the bomb itself. “Military bomb disposal experts have shown tremendous skill and bravery in making this ordnance safe,” he said.