A popular stretch of Torquay's seafront was closed for several hours on Friday after an object on Meadfoot Beach was reported as suspected ordnance. Police established a safety cordon and called in specialist assistance before the item was declared not dangerous and taken away for disposal.
Road closed and 100-metre cordon put in place
Torquay Police shut Meadfoot Sea Road between the Osborne Hotel junction and Ilsham Marine Drive while teams dealt with the incident. A 100-metre cordon was set up along the beach and surrounding public areas to keep people clear while the investigation took place.
- Initial reports to HM Coastguard came in at around 15:34 BST.
- Torquay Coastguard Rescue were dispatched immediately.
- An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team member attended and assessed the item.
- The object was later confirmed not to be ordnance and removed for disposal.
"At 3.34pm, HM Coastguard received reports of an object suspected to be ordnance at Meadfoot Beach in Torquay... An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team member attended and determined that the item was not ordnance."
Noise, helicopters and local disruption
Witnesses reported sirens and a police helicopter circling the area while the cordon was in place. Officers asked people to avoid the immediate vicinity for their own safety. The closure affected local traffic and people heading to the seafront during the busy afternoon period.
Timeline
| Time (BST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 15:34 | Report to HM Coastguard; Torquay Coastguard Rescue sent |
| Afternoon | Police set 100m cordon; EOD member attends |
| Around 21:50 | Authorities confirmed incident resolved and object removed |
What residents and visitors should know
Incidents involving suspected ordnance on beaches are treated with caution because of the potential risk. If you come across items you think might be ordnance:
- Do not touch or move the item.
- Keep your distance and move to a safe location.
- Call the emergency services or HM Coastguard and follow their instructions.
Torbay's coastline has a long maritime history, and occasionally finds like this are reported. In this case, specialists determined there was no explosive risk and removed the object for safe disposal. The road and seafront were reopened once teams were satisfied the area was secure.
Local authorities have not issued further updates beyond confirming the removal and resolution of the incident.
