Unexploded Second World War bomb found in Bethnal Green, east London; police evacuating businesses, homes

Police have put a 100 metre hazard zone in place around the site of an unexploded bomb found in Bethnal Green earlier today. 

 

The device was unearthed by contractors working on a building site in Temple Street at around 12:45pm today. Police were called in and businesses and local residents have been evacuated “as a precaution”. 

 

Update: Emergency services warn Londoners to stay away as they continue to defuse bomb

 

Specialist officers are also now on the scene, alongside London Fire Brigade and representatives from Tower Hamlets Council. 

 

 

The roads around the site have been shut off, affecting Hackney Road and Bethnal Green Road, with the Metropolitan Police warning that “significant traffic disruption is expected”.

 

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes to avoid this area where possible. 

 

Bus routes 26, 48 and 55 are currently on diversion, Transport for London said. 

 

https://twitter.com/TfLBusAlerts/status/630722099942944768

 

There has been a glut of unexploded WW2 bombs found in recent months, including one at Westfield London shopping centre last month, one in Wembley and one in Bermondsey, near to Tower Bridge.

 

In all cases, the device has been safely removed without incident.