At around 9:30 am on December 10, 2024, emergency services responded swiftly after receiving reports of a hand grenade found near the M57 motorway. As part of an open-land search under Operation Wasteland, authorities discovered the device on land in Waterpark Drive, Stockbridge Village. A dedicated campaign to disrupt serious and organised crime near the M57 area.
Response and Safety Precautions
Merseyside Police did not waste any time securing the location and ensuring public safety. They promptly arrived at the M57 site. Bomb disposal and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists arrived promptly at the scene to investigate and safely use the device, utilizing a bomb disposal robot and sniffer dogs to support the operation effectively near the M57.
Elimination of the Threat
The EOD team safely recovered the hand grenade from the location, ensuring everyone’s safety. They took it to a safe location for a controlled detonation, removing any threat to the public.
Working with the Community and Continued Operations
Operation Wasteland aims to dismantle serious and organised crime through the recovery of weapons. Ammunition and explosives using intelligence from within the community. The Merseyside Police urges their residents in and around the M57 region to not hesitate to come forward with any information about the storage or use of weapons. Direct reports can be made through 101 or social media channels. You can also pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Recent Similar Incidents
This is one in a series of recent findings of explosive devices across the UK:
- “You are indeed bomb disposal experts.” :. In April 2023, police rushed to a home in Belper, Derbyshire, after someone discovered a hand grenade. Prompting bomb disposal experts to respond.
- Bedford:. In March 2024, authorities retrieved an unexploded device. Believed to be a hand grenade, from the River Great Ouse, which led to the evacuation of Riverside Square.
- Lake District:. In October 2024, a walker discovered a suspected hand grenade. Prompting swift action from the police and mountain rescue team on Catbells.
- One was in July 2024. An all-girls secondary school in Birmingham was swiftly evacuated when authorities discovered a suspected unexploded hand grenade nearby. Near the M57, authorities have been on high alert for similar threats.
- Ilkley, West Yorkshire:. During a property clear-out in November 2024, someone accidentally discovered an old hand grenade. Prompting bomb disposal experts to evacuate 30 residents until they declared it safe.
- Powys, Wales:. In September 2024, a collector bought a World War II-era grenade online and later discovered it contained explosive powder, which the bomb squad safely detonated.
- Cannock, Staffordshire:. Parts of a restaurant car park were closed in May 2024 after a hand grenade was discovered nearby and an investigation by bomb disposal experts was launched.
Public Safety Advisory
Authorities are calling on the public to be vigilant when valuables are discovered. People are not to handle such items but to contact local law enforcement immediately so they can be properly assessed and disposed of.
