03/06/2026
Many thanks to everyone for their patience and understanding while we, alongside several partner agencies, safely responded to the discovery of a Second World War bomb in Radford, Coventry.
The device was reported at 2.55pm yesterday (Tuesday) after being discovered during construction work at Sandy Lane Business Park, prompting a multi-agency response to protect the public and support those affected.
This evening, the fuse of the bomb has been safely detonated, and a 100-metre cordon that was put in place has now been lifted, for residents to return home.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Richard Stanton said: “Coventry Fire Station was designated as the official rendezvous point for the operation, providing a central and secure location for emergency responders and partner organisations to coordinate activity and maintain situational awareness.
“Its close proximity to the detonation site proved invaluable. The station offered a safe and accessible base for operational briefings, welfare support, and rest and recovery, enabling personnel from multiple agencies to work together effectively throughout the incident.
“We would like to thank everyone involved in making these arrangements possible. The successful outcome reflects the professionalism, cooperation and shared commitment of all those who worked to protect and support the local community.”
| The unexploded Second World War bomb in , has now been safely dealt with following a coordinated response by the police and emergency services, Coventry City Council and military partners.
Working together with soldiers from 8 Engineer Brigade conducting Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), partners managed the incident from initial discovery through to a render safe, consisting of a controlled detonation of the fuze earlier this evening and the subsequent safe removal of the bomb.
The device was reported at 2.55pm yesterday (Tuesday) after being discovered during construction work at Sandy Lane Business Park, prompting a multi-agency response to protect the public and support those affected.
Coventry City Council played a key role in supporting residents affected by the incident. Staff from across the Council worked overnight, with a rest centre established at Central Library which remained open until after midnight and supported almost 50 people.
The Council’s Housing and Homelessness team worked alongside the Emergency Duty Team to ensure anyone requiring overnight accommodation received it. In total, 15 households — comprising 37 people and one dog — were provided with accommodation.
Council teams also supported the operational response, with colleagues at Whitley Depot sourcing 340 tonnes of sand, delivered to the site by 6am to assist EOD in safely managing the device.
For the public’s safety, a 100-metre cordon was put in place, resulting in 96 homes being evacuated. The cordon has now been lifted for residents to return home.
Leading the partnership response, Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara said: “Our approach throughout has been to keep everyone safe while minimising disruption to the local community.
“Coventry City Council has provided significant support to displaced residents and worked closely with partners to ensure people had access to accommodation and welfare support.
“Thanks to EOD’s expertise and the dynamic render safe planning the cordon was kept to a minimum of 100 metres, preventing a much wider evacuation and limiting disruption to homes and businesses. Col Nick Handy commended all his soldiers for their efforts.
“I would like to thank everyone for their co-operation and support over the last day to bring this to a safe conclusion.”
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Richard Stanton said: “Coventry Fire Station was designated as the official rendezvous point for the operation, providing a central and secure location for emergency responders and partner organisations to coordinate activity and maintain situational awareness.
“Its close proximity to the detonation site proved invaluable. The station offered a safe and accessible base for operational briefings, welfare support, and rest and recovery, enabling personnel from multiple agencies to work together effectively throughout the incident.
“We would like to thank everyone involved in making these arrangements possible. The successful outcome reflects the professionalism, cooperation and shared commitment of all those who worked to protect and support the local community.”
