Monthly UXO News Roundup – June 2025
Read about June’s UXO discoveries across the UK in our latest roundup – from 8” naval shells in Devon, to a hand grenade in Rotherham.
Above: Heatmap showing the approximate locations of UXO discoveries recorded in the media, 1st – 30th June 2025
Devon:
Devon and Cornwall Police were called on Wednesday 11th June to the discovery of a suspected item of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) at the Bidna Yard, in Appledore. The device, later confirmed as an 8” naval shell, was relocated safely by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team for controlled demolition on Westward Ho! beach.
The following day (12th June), a RN EOD team from Devonport attended the discovery of a second 8” naval shell at Bidna Yard, which was also relocated for controlled disposal.
Above: One of the 8” naval shells being prepared for demolition on Westward Ho! Beach (North Devon Gazette, courtesy of the RN)
See: Second navy shell found at Appledore is destroyed in controlled explosion – North Devon Today
Isle of Man
On the 7th June, a popular coastal footpath on the Isle of Man was closed following the discovery of an item of suspected UXO. An EOD team from the mainland were scheduled to attend the scene, but no further updates have been issued.
See: Unexploded ordnance discovery shuts Isle of Man footpaths | Isle of Man Today
North Yorkshire
On 6th June, Cleveland Police were alerted to the discovery of a suspected item of UXO by a metal detectorist on Marske Beach. A cordon was established and an EOD team attended the scene. The device – a suspected 2” mortar – was destroyed in a controlled explosion.
Above: 2” High Explosive (HE) mortar round, likely similar to the device discovered on Marske Beach (©Zetica Ltd.)
See: Controlled explosion carried out on Marske beach | Cleveland Police
Scotland
On the 31st May, His Majesty’s (HM) Coastguard crews from St. Andrews and Leven attended reports of a suspected item of UXO on the beach at Shell Bay, Fife. An EOD team attended the scene and the device – which has been reported as an unexploded mortar round – was destroyed in a controlled explosion.
See: Shell Bay Elie closure after discovery of unexploded mortar shell
On the 23rd June, police and an EOD team were called to the discovery of a ‘possible ordnance device’ on a building site near the newly installed Renfrew Bridge in Glasgow. The bridge was closed and the EOD team attended the scene. No further updates have been issued.
See: ‘Unexploded ordnance’ found at Glasgow bridge as bomb squad rushes to scene – Daily Record
South Yorkshire
On the 16th June, Police were called to reports of an item of suspected UXO being discovered at Spa Well Crescent in Rotherham. A cordon was established and an Army EOD team attended the scene, confirming the device as a WWII-era hand grenade. It was rendered safe and the cordon was later lifted.
Above: A WWII-era British No. 36 Mills Bomb, similar in type to the grenade discovered at Spa Well Crescent (©Zetica)
See: Grenade found in Treeton made safe by bomb squad
Wales
On 1st June, an Army EOD team and Gwent Police attended the discovery of a ‘suspicious device’ in a garden on Rhys Road, in Blackwood. The device was examined and destroyed in a controlled explosion. The exact nature of the device has not been confirmed.
See: Bomb squad called to Blackwood as ‘suspicious device’ found | South Wales Argus
