Overview
- A man using a metal detector found a suspected Second World War device in Mansel Park in Millbrook and alerted police.
- Officers sealed off roughly half the park and part of Evenlode Road, then called the Army bomb squad to prepare a controlled blast.
- Residents watched from behind the police line, with several saying they were frightened because children often play in the area.
- Specialists buried the item, packed explosive material around it, then set it off, and officers reported no injuries while warning the crater would stay hot for about 30 minutes.
- Unexploded wartime munitions are still found in cities like Southampton, and teams often neutralize unstable items on site using remote detonations when moving them is unsafe.