Tank Shell Removed from Garden Shed in Henley

A Second World War tank shell has been removed from a garden shed in Henley-on-Thames by a bomb disposal team and detonated in a controlled explosion on open land nearby. The removal of the 50cm x 15cm device prompted the evacuation of several properties in neighbouring Belle Vue Road, after a concerned resident showed a picture of the shell – which had been in the shed for almost 30 years – to the local Police.

Many of the call-outs received by bomb disposal teams are to deal with memorabilia and souvenir ordnance which, despite appearing safe, are often potentially hazardous. Unless confirmed as inert, they should always be reported to the authorities and never handled.

As a Thames Valley Police officer commented: ‘If you think about this country’s history and the amount of ordnance people brought back as souvenirs or munitions manufactured in this country, it’s not uncommon for people to find them’. People just need to be wary that such ‘souvenirs’ are potentially lethal.

For more see: http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=41136