Highbridge Recycling Centre was closed for five hours on Saturday (August 22nd) after staff discovered a suspected ‘wartime explosive device’ inside one of the recycling areas, prompting a full emergency response.
The centre on the Isleport Business Park was evacuated at aroud 10.20am and Police sealed off access to the site as a precaution, as pictured here, while an army bomb disposal team was called in to assess the object.
A Police spokesperson said the bomb disposal team was sent, and confirmed it was later deemed to be harmless.
A recycling centre staff member said it had appeared to be a 10‑inch wartime aircraft shell. After scanning it and confirming it was safe, the military team took the device away for disposal, allowing the recycling centre to reopen at around 2.45pm.
The team thanked customers for their patience and understanding during the unplanned closure, adding that safety had to come first while the device was investigated. The centre was open as usual on Sunday.
