Bomb squad reveals alerts total : Shropshire Star:

The bomb squad has been called to Shropshire’s towns and villages 18 times in the past year to deal with unexploded hand grenades and other deadly devices, it was revealed today.

However, eight of the incidents reported by residents to the police proved to be harmless - including a call to tackle a letter.

Police today said the public’s safety is of utmost importance and all incidents have to be investigated thoroughly by the force.

Information released to the Shropshire Star through the Freedom of Information Act showed the bomb disposal unit was called to a variety of incidents throughout the county in the past 12 months and 15 hoax bomb calls were also received.

Bernard McDermott, freedom of information officer, confirmed they had been to genuine callouts at Ellesmere, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Bromfield, Market Drayton and Church Stretton. Other incidents were at West Felton, the Long Mynd, Tern Hill, Cosford and Llynclys.

He revealed that of the 18 callouts about eight proved to be harmless items including “old shells, a fog device and a letter”.

However, he said there had been eight controlled explosions over the past 12 months including six grenades and unknown items by the bomb squad.

The most recent Shropshire alerts saw a live World War Two grenade found in a crate outside Halls Fine Art salesroom on Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury, and the area was evacuated.

The grenade was taken to the West Mid Showground where a controlled explosion was carried out.

While last month houses in Swan Hill, Ellesmere, were evacuated for more than three hours after a hand grenade was discovered which later turned out to be a harmless paperweight.

More sinister is the revelation from Mr McDermott that there were 15 hoax bomb calls during the year and he said this was something that was taken very seriously.

Spokeswoman Maria Hawkaluk said that any bomb hoax was thoroughly investigated by the police and could be punishable by prison.

She said: “The police take any report of a suspected explosive device extremely seriously and it would be dealt with accordingly for the protection of the public.”