Residents on Northumberland street evacuated after 'grenade shells' found in empty house

Suspected grenade shells were discovered in a house on Cleveland Terrace, in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, on Tuesday night. Credit: NCJ Media

Residents of a terraced street in Northumberland were evacuated after military ammunition was found in an empty home.

Suspected grenade shells were discovered in a house on Cleveland Terrace in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, on Tuesday night, and residents of surrounding homes were evacuated. A police cordon was set up while waiting for a bomb disposal team to arrive.

Barrie Mick, who lives next door to the house where the ammunition was found, was about to have dinner when he noticed something unusual outside.

Suspected grenade shells were discovered in a house on Cleveland Terrace. Credit: NCJ Media

The 55-year-old said: "I looked out the front and the Old Bill were everywhere, there were four cop cars.

"In the front yard of the house next door there was a grenade, a potato smasher, a landmine, what else I'm not quite sure."

Mr Mick took pictures before he was evacuated by police and went to a safe place with a couple of neighbours, while others took refuge in the Salvation Army building. It is understood that several residents on the street were affected by the evacuation.

Mr Mick added: "I've got ADHD so I was excited. I didn't feel like I was in any danger, but they literally cordoned off everywhere."

Barrie Mick lives next door to the house where the ammunition was found. Credit: NCJ Media

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said that they had found the event "very traumatic", and were evacuated from their homes from around 9pm until 3:30am on Wednesday.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 6.45pm yesterday (Tuesday), we were contacted by a member of the public who had found suspected grenade shells at an address on Cleveland Terrace in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. Officers attended the scene and, as a precaution, a number of people in neighbouring properties were temporarily evacuated and a cordon was put in place.

"An Explosive Ordinance Disposal team attended and removed the shells – which were confirmed as inactive – from the address to safely dispose of them.

"There is no wider threat to the public and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to an officer on duty."

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