UXO News Roundup – New Year 2026
The discovery of 2No. WWII German Unexploded Bombs (UXBs) in Devon last month dominated the headlines. You can read our coverage as events unfolded below:
https://zeticauxo.com/news/major-incident-declared-as-two-wwii-bombs-found-in-devon/
Several other Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) finds were made across the country in the New Year, from an artillery shell in Cornwall to an unexploded sea mine in the Hebrides.
Explore the UK’s latest discoveries on our heatmap and read about some of the most significant finds from January and early February below.
Above: Heatmap showing the approximate locations of UXO discoveries, 1st January 2026 – 3rd February 2026
Cambridgeshire:
On the 16th January, police were called to a stretch of the River Great Ouse in Ely after suspected UXO was discovered by a magnet fisherman. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended and identified the device as a WWII-era German UXB, though no further details have been released. The device was destroyed in a controlled explosion in a nearby field.
Above: Detonation of the suspected UXB near Ely (BBC News, courtesy of Cambridgeshire Police)
See: Watch: World War Two bomb detonated in Ely field – BBC News
Cornwall:
On the 3rd February, a suspected item of UXO was discovered in a stream off Penberthy Road, in Portreath. The device – identified as a 12lb British High Explosive (HE) naval shell – was safely removed to Portreath Beach for controlled demolition.
Several training ranges for offshore practice firing with Heavy Anti-Aircraft (HAA) and Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) guns were established off the north coast of Cornwall during WWII and may be a source for the find.
Above: Shell discovered in the stream in Portreath
See: LIVE: Homes evacuated after unexploded ‘bomb’ found in Cornwall – Cornwall Live
Norfolk:
On the 26th January, Norfolk Constabulary were called to reports of an item of suspected UXO being pulled from the River Wensum, in Norwich by a magnet fisherman. A police cordon was established at Dolphin Bridge and the device – confirmed as a WWII-era mortar – was removed safely for controlled detonation.
Above: The mortar pulled from the River Wensum in Norwich (Norwich Evening News, courtesy of Joel)
See: Magnet fisher finds bomb in River Wensum in Norwich | Norwich Evening News
Nottinghamshire:
On the 12th January, Nottinghamshire Police established a cordon at a property in Cavendish Road, Carlton, following the discovery of an item of suspected UXO in a rear garden.
The device – reported as a training munition, though unconfirmed – was safely removed by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.
See: Bomb squad deployed to Carlton and people warned to avoid area – Nottinghamshire Live
Scotland:
On 31st January teams from His Majesty’s (HM) Coastguard were called to the discovery of suspected UXO on Heanish Beach, on the Isle of Tiree, Iner Hebrides.
The device – confirmed as an unexploded sea mine – was destroyed offshore in a controlled explosion on the 2nd February.
Above: Controlled demolition of the sea mine off Heanish Beach, 02/02/2026 (STV News, courtesy of HM Coastguard)
See: Watch moment suspected bomb blown up in controlled explosion on Tiree | STV News
