Police cordons as bomb teams deal with two incidents

A school has been evacuated after a suspected ordnance was found at a nearby building site in one of two alerts in Devon.

Pupils from Millbay Academy in Plymouth were moved after a 100m (328ft) cordon was set up by Devon and Cornwall Police after the force was called out to Martin Street at 11:40 GMT.

In a separate incident in Exmouth, police also put up a 100m cordon at Exmouth Marina after a "suspected unexploded ordnance" was dredged out of the water.

The Royal Navy confirmed its Devonport-based bomb disposal team, Bravo Squadron, had been dispatched to the Plymouth scene and were "assisting the police with their investigation of possible historic ordnance".

A police spokesperson said a number of roads had been closed and people were being asked to avoid the area while attempts were made to identify the ordnance and make it safe.

A Facebook post from the school, which has more than 500 pupils, thanked "students, families, staff and the wider community for your cooperation and support today".

It said in a statement that parents and carers should check for updates on the Arbor app.

"We will continue to share information in guidance with the local police," the school added.

The Devon and Cornwall force said teams were also at Exmouth Marina "after a suspected unexploded ordnance was dredged out of the water".

Officers had set up a 100m cordon and properties would be evacuated. A bomb disposal team had been alerted.

Exmouth Sports Centre had been opened "for anyone being displaced who needs somewhere to go", it said.

Parents and guardians of the pupils from Millbay Academy were asked to pick up the children at St Mary and St Boniface Cathedral.

David Salvage who was collecting his grandchild said: "Everyone has been calm, there's been no difficulty at all.

"We normally go for a coffee and an ice cream, but we'll have to miss that today."

Luke Pollard, Labour MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, joined police calls for drivers to avoid the area.

The council's parking enforcement team had temporarily suspended parking enforcement in areas around Millbay "where residents may be impacted by the road closures", he said.

"This is an ongoing issue and I am in touch with the council and the police," he said.

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