Residents are being urged to take extra care when clearing out sheds, garages and lofts after Brunel Road Recycling Centre in Newton Abbot was closed and evacuated on Wednesday 3 June following the discovery of a suspected grenade.
As a precaution, the facility was evacuated and temporarily closed by Devon & Cornwall Police. Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts attended and removed the item for safe disposal. No one was injured, and the site has since fully reopened.
Recycling centres across Devon have previously been forced to close after the discovery of suspicious or potentially dangerous items.
In January this year, Ivybridge Recycling Centre was evacuated after a tank shell was found. At other sites, staff have uncovered unexploded ordnance, marine flares, old ammunition and containers holding unknown chemicals.
Each incident requires a response from emergency services and disrupts both staff and residents using the facilities.
Residents are being asked to think carefully before bringing items to recycling centres, particularly if they are old, unlabelled, or could be mistaken for something hazardous.

Scam letters requesting payment
Matford Brook Academy Expands Facilities for New School Year
County Council backs renewed support for Devon farmers hit by bluetongue
Get vaccinated and don’t visit patients if unwell, health leaders urge as flu hits local hospitals
Severe drought declared as reservoir levels fall
All Souls Day Festival returns to Exeter
Starcross family raise £10k for Hospital ICU Garden Appeal
25 months in jail for woman who smuggled Thai cannabis
Homes plan lodged for former Exeter leisure centre
A Crowdfunding campaign has launched to raise some of the funds needed to build a permanent community “village green by the sea” in Exmouth.
Fire Service issues enforcement notice for fire safety breaches at Torbay hospital
Unsung heroes’ who keep Exeter looking good honoured at awards
County Council backs plan to help young people build a future in Devon
Householders urged to fight fly-tipping by choosing reputable removers
Multi-million pound funding boost to Devon’s road’s
‘Frustration’ as £5million Newton Abbot market stays shut
