“World War II shell” found in Shoreditch High Street was not an explosive device, police say
Shoreditch High Street was evacuated earlier this morning after a suspected World War II shell was discovered there – but police later said the item was not suspicious.
Police were called at 8:35am to Shoreditch High Street, near the junction with Hackney Road, E1 "to reports of ordnance", a spokesperson said.
Officers and specialist officers attended the scene and roads were temporarily closed, and as a precaution a number of properties were evacuated while an assessment of the item was carried out.
"The item was found not to be suspicious and not an explosive device," the spokesperson added. "The incident was stood down at approximately 9:24am and cordons were lifted."
In January, Westminster and Waterloo bridges were closed off for hours after a World War II bomb was found in the Thames.
This map shows the areas of London where unexploded bombs are most likely to be discovered:
