A routine donation at a Paignton charity shop took a terrifying turn on Wednesday, October 7, when staff discovered a live, high-explosive mortar among a bag of items dropped off by an unknown member of the public.
The British Heart Foundation shop in Paignton became the scene of a major security operation after the suspicious object was identified. Staff immediately contacted the authorities, prompting a rapid response from the Royal Navy’s elite Bravo Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, based at HM Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth.
Upon arriving at the scene around lunchtime, the specialists—renowned for their work as mine clearance divers—conducted a detailed assessment of the device. The team confirmed that the item was a British 3-inch high-explosive mortar, a relic of past military conflicts that still posed a significant threat to public safety.
After determining that the device was stable enough to be transported, the bomb disposal experts carefully removed the mortar from the shop premises. It was then taken to the nearby Goodrington Beach under strict security conditions. Once the area was secured, the team successfully executed a controlled detonation, neutralizing the threat.
Lieutenant Matt Bowden, the officer in charge of Bravo Unit One, oversaw the operation. Speaking after the successful disposal, he noted that this incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by “war souvenirs” that may still contain live components.
“Incidents like this highlight the importance of contacting the authorities if you discover any suspected military ordnance and not attempting to handle it yourself,” Lieutenant Bowden said.
While it is common for people to clear out attics or garages and donate old items to charity, the discovery of this explosive mortar underscores the potential risk to shop staff and the general public. Military ordnance can remain volatile for decades, even when it appears to be a harmless collector’s item.
The Royal Navy’s EOD teams are highly trained in handling such dangerous artifacts, combining expert knowledge of historical weaponry with advanced bomb disposal techniques. This incident concluded without injury or property damage, largely thanks to the quick thinking of the charity shop employees who recognized the object as unusual and sought professional assistance.
Authorities are reminding members of the public that if they encounter any item they suspect could be historical or modern military ordnance, they should leave the object exactly where it is, clear the area, and contact the police immediately. Do not attempt to transport such items yourself or bring them into public buildings or retail premises.
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