Controlled Explosions Carried Out After Ordnance Found on Medmerry Beach

A beach in West Sussex was closed and controlled explosions carried out after suspected ordnance was discovered on Medmerry Beach. Volunteers from Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team were first paged at 12.34pm on 11 March following reports that a possible piece of ordnance had been found on the beach. On arrival, the team located the item […]

A beach in West Sussex was closed and controlled explosions carried out after suspected ordnance was discovered on Medmerry Beach.

Volunteers from Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team were first paged at 12.34pm on 11 March following reports that a possible piece of ordnance had been found on the beach.

On arrival, the team located the item and took photographs which were sent to specialists from Explosive Ordnance Disposal for assessment. A safety cordon was immediately put in place and the beach was closed to the public.

However, by around 3pm the incoming tide had covered the object, forcing crews to stand down and return the following day.

The team was retasked at 9.30am on 12 March, returning to the scene where the cordon was again established and the beach closed while awaiting the arrival of bomb disposal specialists.

Experts from Explosive Ordnance Disposal later attended the scene and warned that due to the size of the device, a cordon of up to one kilometre might be required. As a result, support was requested from Sussex Police and Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team.

At around 3.30pm, bomb disposal experts carried out two controlled explosions, which were reportedly heard as far away as Middleton-on-Sea.

Coastguard teams stood down at 4.30pm following the successful operation.

Rescue teams have since reminded the public that ordnance can appear in many different shapes and sizes and may still be highly explosive even after many years.

They warn people not to touch or move any suspected ordnance, and to immediately contact the Coastguard if anything suspicious is discovered.

Medmerry Beach remains closed to the public due to several hazards, including the risk of unexploded ordnance.

Anyone discovering a suspected device is urged to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.