An urgent call was received by the bomb disposal team, prompting them to quickly mobilize to the site where a potentially dangerous “suspicious item” was believed to be a weapon. However, upon arrival, it was discovered that the item in question was actually a component of a loudspeaker. The Coastguard teams from Whitehaven and Maryport, along with Cumbria Police, converged at the scene located on the Maryport shoreline on a Thursday, where the peculiar object was found.
An investigation was promptly initiated into the circular object, and as a precautionary measure, a safety cordon was established around the area. Subsequently, an army bomb disposal team was summoned to assess the situation. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team arrived swiftly at the scene, only to determine that the item was not an explosive device but rather a part of a speaker.
In a social media post, the Whitehaven Coastguard team disclosed that historical instances of old military equipment being unearthed on beaches in the vicinity had been documented due to the shifting sands. The spokesperson underscored that along the UK shoreline and specifically in Cumbria, occurrences of old military ordnance and time-worn pyrotechnics surfacing or being exposed by moving sands were not uncommon. The Coastguard emphasized the importance of public vigilance and awareness in such situations, commending the individual who reported the object for taking the necessary steps to ensure public safety.
Addressing a speculation suggesting that the item might have been a “small anti-tank mine,” the Whitehaven Coastguard team admitted that such suspicions had initially crossed their minds before the true nature of the object was revealed to be a speaker during the investigation.
In a separate incident in August, a beach along England’s southern coast was evacuated after an apparent unexploded bomb was detected in Beer, a picturesque seaside village located in East Devon. The suspicious item was eventually carried back out to sea before the bomb disposal experts could carry out a thorough assessment, as reported by the coastguard.
Instances like these serve as poignant reminders of the need for vigilance and caution, particularly in coastal areas where historical remnants of military activity may resurface unexpectedly. The collaborative efforts of emergency response teams, law enforcement, and vigilant members of the public play a pivotal role in ensuring public safety and swiftly addressing potential threats posed by unidentified objects. By promptly reporting and investigating suspicious items, communities can mitigate risks and prevent unnecessary alarm or disruptions.
