The evacuation operation in Falmouth is now underway as police and Cornwall Council work to safely remove a Second World War bomb discovered near the docks. Superintendent Ian Thompson of Devon and Cornwall Police and Cllr Thalia Marrington, Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, have provided updated information for residents as the major operation progresses.
A police spokesperson said: “We would like to thank residents for their cooperation and patience as the operation continues. Please continue to follow instructions from police and emergency services.”
Evacuations began at around 9am, with officers and council teams going door to door to advise residents inside the 755 metre cordon. The cordon has been refined following further assessment by bomb disposal specialists, though a 300 metre inner zone remains in place. Cornwall Council has published an updated map showing exactly which streets and properties fall within the evacuation area. Some roads are only partially affected, and residents are urged to check their postcode.
Train services between Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks have been suspended since 8.45am due to the ongoing operation. Great Western Railway has confirmed that no replacement buses are available. Road closures remain in place around the docks, with traffic being diverted away from the cordon. More information on this can be found here: Train services suspended in Falmouth after WWII missile discovery
Castle Beach Cafe will be closed today. Cornwall Council is supporting a multi-agency response after an unexploded Second World War device was discovered off Pendennis Headland in Falmouth. Police and emergency service partners are managing the incident and are working to establish a 755 metre safety cordon on Wednesday, September 23.
If you are in the affected area, please follow police instructions and leave the evacuation area if you are told to do so. A Falmouth café has stepped in to support residents affected by today’s evacuation, offering a warm space, free hot drinks and discounted food as the bomb disposal operation continues at the docks. Dwell Café announced that anyone living in the affected postcodes is welcome to come in throughout the day. The café says it has a soft play area for young children, free tea and coffee, and half price food.
Jayne Kirkham MP for Truro and Falmouth is at Killigrew Street which is open for residents who have been evacuated. She said: "The evacuation IS going ahead. If you live around Castle Drive, Pendennis, Tredynas and are in the exclusion zone, please leave as soon as you can."
Evacuation Underway in Falmouth as Police Update Guidance