Bomb unit carry out explosion at park in Watford

Old firearms materials were found starting to corrode at an address yesterday, with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team deciding to detonate the objects at the park in Watford.

They were covered in beanbags in one of the park’s fields near Gade Avenue Car Park, and sandbags were out around them.

A 200m police cordon had been set up around the park around 11am for the safety of the public – but Hertfordshire Constabulary said there was no threat to anyone during the operation.

We are assisting the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) with a pre-planned controlled explosion in Cassiobury Park Watford. There is no risk to the public, and this is not terror-related. The operation is believed to last until 1pm. A 200m cordon is in place as a precaution. pic.twitter.com/AfpX5x7LvR

— Herts Police (@HertsPolice) October 2, 2019

The force said the explosion had been pre-planned after the materials, which were fully licensed and legally owned, had been found.

Police at the scene (photo credit James Cowen)

The firearms materials were blown up just after 1pm – with debris from the loud explosion flung into the air as high as some trees in the park.

But despite the explosion, the atmosphere around the park was calm. 

People were also able to get in and out of the car park without issue while the controlled explosion went ahead.

One woman at the park said: "I was told for my own safety that I couldn't walk through the middle of the park and could not believe how many police were there."

A dog walker at the park felt there should have been signs around the park saying a controlled explosion would be going ahead.

She said: “I don’t think it’s a clever idea, I think they should take this away where they could dispose it somewhere safer.”

The scene is now being cleared following the explosion.