Video: ‘Bomb’ removed from Suffolk building site

The scene has been cordoned off Archant

BOMB disposal experts and RAF personnel were called to a Suffolk market town following the discovery of what was believed to be a napalm carrier.

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The object was unearthed on a building site in Church Street, opposite the Waitrose supermarket, in Saxmundham.

Police cordoned off a section of the road shortly before midday yesterday after workmen uncovered what they thought was an explosive device.

The car park at Waitrose was eerily quiet when the bomb disposal team from Colchester arrived at about 2.30pm.

RAF experts opened the device and nothing explosive was found inside. The item was removed from the site, and the road was re-opened just after 9pm.

A small number of interested people went to have a look at what was going on.

Roy Button, 74, of Saxon Road, said: “I heard about what was happening and thought I would come and see for myself.

“I don’t think it’s a huge surprise, we find a lot of unexploded bombs in this part of Suffolk.

“I’m not worried about it at all. The police arrived quickly on the scene and the bomb disposal team arrived. They seem to have it all in hand.”

The Waitrose store remained open yesterday afternoon and shoppers continued to arrive throughout the drama.

No homes were evacuated but the road was closed off for several hours while the 5ft long object – described as torpedo-shaped with a silver casing – was x-rayed by experts to determine what was inside.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said yesterday: “There’s been some workers clearing the site and they have uncovered what they think is a bomb.

“It was torpedo-shaped with a silver casing.

“No one has been evacuated as far as I can tell. However, we have talked to residents and a cordon is in place.

“Because of the nature of what has been found the bomb disposal team has asked the RAF to attend because they think they will be able to assist.”

The site is currently being developed by Reef Estates and is where the new Tesco store is planned to go.

Last night, a spokesman for Reef Estates said they had heard of the discovery from their building contractors but declined to comment further as they had no more details.