Bomb disposal squads sent to Westcliff after eight ordnance found

Southend Coastguard were tasked on Friday to suspected ordnance which was spotted by one of the regular bait diggers.

Two teams approached the objects which were spread across multi locations in Westcliff.

Pictures taken at the scene were reviewed by an army team at in Colchester while the coastguard stood guard until the items was covered by the incoming tide.

Once covered the teams were stood down to return early on Saturday to confirm if the ordnance was still there before the army attended.

A coastguard spokesman said: "Returning on Saturday early morning, the same two teams were sent out to the locations to confirm the ordnance were still in situ and, after a brief wait for lower water, it was confirmed they were still there plus some additional items were discovered.

"In total, eight items of ordnance were located awaiting examination.

"Once on scene the Army EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] team, accompanied by each coastguard team, examined and collected the items from their locations one mile offshore and brought back to shore in a secure box to be x-rayed.

"Whilst the Army EOD x-rayed the items, a wider cordon was put in place for the publics protection with support from Southend Community Safety team, a Southend Council Community Safety Officer and Essex Police."

The items included spent shells, tail fins and some with detonators still intact, but post x-ray, it was determined that they were safe to be removed from the scene and taken back to Colchester Barracks to be disposed of there.

This was the coastguards' 250th incident for 2020.

The spokesman added: "We would like to thank our Army EOD colleagues, Southend Borough Council Community Unit / Officer, The Beach Hut - W.O.S, Toulouse Restaurant and the wider general public for their support and patience over the past two days where we were on scene for a total of 11hrs across the two days, it was much appreciated."