Southend Coastguard warns public about ordnance on MOD beaches

HM Coastguard Southend has observed increasing levels of families with small children entering the prohibited MOD beaches opposite their Coastguard station.

The coastguard said they have seen children dig by the mudflats post - walking past and ignoring the numerous warning signs at the West Slipway end of Ness Road and on the seawalls.

Last month one child picked up a suspected piece of ordnance off Shoebury East Beach mudflats and brought it to the beach - fortunately being harmless. 

HM Coastguard Southend have also seen an increase in bait diggers, metal detectors, and unlicensed oyster pickers digging on MOD mud flats.

Detonation - A controlled detonation by HM Coastguard Southend in 2020 (Image: HM Coastguard Southend)

HM Coastguard has no jurisdiction for any enforcement as it is MOD property but they do regularly attend incidents on MOD beaches.

Most of the incidents are for suspected ordnances between Ness Road and up to the MOD Shoeburyness Ranges.

However, HM Coastguard Southend have also attended incidents for ‘real’ ordnance on the MOD beaches and so are very concerned about the rise in families taking their children in the specific prohibited area.

Some of the real ordinances need to be detonated by Army or Navy EOD teams on location,

While some are stable enough to be taken away for destruction, with some being deemed harmless.

MOD bylaws are there for the public’s protection with signage being very clear.

Ordnance can get washed up or uncovered offshore or close to beaches because in  WW2, the Southend and Thames Estuary area was often used by bomber aircraft as a dumping ground for their bomb loads.

A spokesman said: "If you ever see something suspicious or out of the ordinary on the beach or in the sea, do not touch it, move it or take it home.

“Let the experts decide if it is safe. Move to a safe space and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard so our teams can investigate.”