A suspected unexploded bomb, which washed up on the banks of the River Thames, turned out to be a giant Christmas bauble.

The "device" was spotted near Wapping in east London and mistaken for an explosive, so police went to check it out.

But "upon closer inspection" of the "glittery" object, Tower Hamlets Police ruled out any threat and even joked about it on Twitter, using festive emojis.

That is a Wapping great bauble. Fortunately not as given, but shows as our training teaches us 'expect the unexpected' https://t.co/e57PCeCvek — Hackney Police (@MPSHackney) May 29, 2019

In reply, Hackney Police tweeted: "That is a Wapping great bauble. Fortunately not as given, but shows, as our training teaches us, expect the unexpected."

The discovery comes less than a week after an unexploded Second World War bomb was found in Kingston-Upon-Thames, south west London.


Students from Kingston University and nearby homes had to be evacuated while a specialist team disposed of it.