Leighton Buzzard tip reopened after explosives experts remove hand grenade

A hand grenade found at Leighton Buzzard ‘tidy tip’ has now been removed and the road has reopened.

The Household Waste Recycling Centre, Shenley Hill Road, is now open to the public after the "suspicious device" was removed.

A specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) was sent to the scene to deal with a hand grenade.

Bedfordshire Police stated: "A suspicious device found at the Leighton Buzzard household waste recycling centre earlier has now been removed and the site in Shenley Hill Road has now reopened.

"Thank you everyone for your patience."

Bedfordshire Police has confirmed that the device was a hand grenade and that it was not live.

A spokesman said: “At around 10.30am today (Wednesday), we were called to reports of a suspected explosive device found at the Leighton Buzzard Household Waste Recycling Centre, Shenley Hill Road.

“A specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were called to the scene. Following further investigation, the device was confirmed to be a hand grenade that was not live and was safely removed. As a precautionary measure, a cordon was in place whilst investigations were underway.”

A Central Bedfordshire Council spokesperson said: “The Leighton Buzzard Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) was temporarily closed with a cordon in place for public safety purposes, following reports of a suspected live hand grenade.

"Bedfordshire Police attended the incident and a specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal team took the suspicious item away. The police have now removed the cordon and our HWRC is now back open.”