Mortar Bomb Pulled from River in Dorset Safely Destroyed by Army Experts
A suspected mortar bomb discovered in a Dorset river has been safely removed and destroyed by Army explosive specialists after being pulled from the water by members of the public.
Emergency services were alerted on 19 February after a man and his son recovered what appeared to be unexploded ordnance while magnet fishing in the River Stour near Canford Magna, close to Wimborne.
Officers from Dorset Police attended the scene and quickly established a safety cordon. The object was later identified as a 60mm mortar shell. Due to the potential risk posed by the device, specialist support was requested from the British Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit.
Controlled Demolition
The mortar was transported to a secure location, where EOD teams carried out a controlled demolition. Authorities confirmed that the operation was completed safely, with no injuries reported and minimal disruption to the surrounding area.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said incidents involving historic munitions, while rare, are taken extremely seriously.
“Unexploded ordnance can remain dangerous even after many decades,” the spokesperson said. “We would always advise members of the public not to handle or move suspicious objects and to contact police immediately.”
Magnet Fishing Warning
Magnet fishing — a hobby involving the use of strong magnets to retrieve metal objects from rivers and canals — has grown in popularity in recent years. While enthusiasts often recover discarded bikes, tools or scrap metal, there have been increasing reports nationwide of wartime explosives being uncovered.
Dorset has historical military links, particularly along its coastline, which was used for training exercises during both World Wars. As a result, unexploded munitions are occasionally found in waterways and rural areas.
Police are reminding residents that if they encounter any item resembling ammunition, shells or military hardware, they should:
- Leave the item untouched
- Move to a safe distance
- Call 999 immediately
Community Response
Local residents praised the swift response from emergency services and the Army unit involved in neutralising the threat. Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing risk to the public.
The incident serves as a reminder that even decades-old munitions can still pose serious hazards — and that prompt reporting is essential to keeping communities safe.
