Bomb alert on Brighton beach: Police clear sunbathers from stretch of shingle after ‘unexploded mortar shell’ is found near pier
- Beachgoers warned at around 2.20pm to stay away from the area in East Sussex
- An item, possibly an unexploded mortar shell, has been discovered, said police
- Force said scene has ‘been made safe’ with bomb disposal experts on their way
Police have cleared sunbathers from a stretch of Brighton beach after an ‘exploded mortar shell’ was found near the pier.
Brighton and Hove Police warned people to stay away from the area in East Sussex at around 2.20pm today.
An item, possibly an unexploded mortar shell, was discovered with bomb disposal experts on their way to inspect the item, said the force.
Police and PCSO’s clear a section of Brighton beach today after it is believed a detector found a suspect item on the shingle near the pier in East Sussex
Police warned people to stay away from the area in East Sussex at around 2.20pm today
In a statement, Brighton and Hove Police said: ‘A section of beach west of Brighton Palace Pier has been cordoned off after an item – possibly an unexploded mortar shell – was found.
‘The scene has been made safe while we await attendance from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
‘Please stay away from the area in the meantime.’
One Twitter user posted: ‘Bomb threat Brighton beach evacuated.’
Another wrote: ‘Bomb threat Brighton sea front! Everyone get out!’
A third added: ‘On Brighton beach and police have evacuated it because apparently there’s a bomb threat.’
Police officers clear a section of Brighton beach today. The force said: ‘The scene has been made safe while we await attendance from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal’
An item, possibly an unexploded mortar shell, was discovered with bomb experts on their way to inspect the item, said Brighton and Hove Police