UPDATE: 5.02pm, 23/09: Royal Navy provide update and pay tribute to those working to make Falmouth unexploded bomb safe
Lt Cdr Ben Brown, Commanding Officer of Bravo Squadron, reflecting on the dedicated activity of his team, said:
“I am very proud of my team who have been committed to this activity through the week.
"I would also like to thank all our agency partners who have worked with us to make this operation a success, and the general public for their patience during the evacuation.
"Bravo Squadron‘s main role is to keep UK waters free from unexploded wartime ordnance. This is what we all train for so that we are always ready to protect the public and assist communities across the UK on tasks like these.
"Whilst the movement has been successfully completed, this task is not over yet and in the coming days we will return to conduct the final disposal of the unexploded bomb at sea with a controlled explosion.
"Following detailed assessment, our team has successfully lifted the ordnance from the seabed and towed it to a pre-designated area at sea which has been cleared as suitable for disposal.
"However, this device is unusual, and we must now wait for a further six days until we are able to safely dive down to attach a small charge to the bomb and complete the disposal operation."
UPDATE: 3.58pm, 23/09: Cordon lifted residents free to return home
The unexploded WWII ordnance has been safely removed from Falmouth Docks, and the evacuation cordon has now been lifted. Residents are free to return to their properties.
Please continue to follow any instructions from police and other personnel as the emergency response is stood down.
Thank you to everyone affected for your cooperation and understanding, and to all the agencies and organisations involved in the response.
Please note that the device will be disposed of in deep water and well out at sea, so there will be nothing to see or hear from the shore.
Cornwall Councillor and portfolio holder for Public Safety,Cllr Thalia Marrington said:
“This is the news everyone wanted to hear. The device has been safely removed, the cordon has been lifted, and residents can now return to their homes.
“I want to thank the military specialists, emergency services, council teams, partner organisations and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to keep people safe and support those affected.
“I also want to thank residents and businesses for their patience, throughout what has been a worrying and disruptive time.”
Superintendent Ian Thompson, policing Commander for West Cornwall, said:
“I can confirm that we have now lifted all cordons put in place and our multi-agency operation to safely remove this World War Two bomb has concluded.
“Residents are free to return to their homes.
“We’d like to thank the Falmouth community for your patience during what we know has been a difficult few days.
“Safety of residents has always been the highest priority for police, Cornwall Council, the military and other partners.
“Working with our partners, we have today managed a large-scale evacuation involving some 336 households.
“The evacuation effort involved 81 police officers and staff as well as 113 volunteers and colleagues from partner agencies.
“Our combined efforts have been focussed on allowing everybody to get back to their daily lives as quickly as possible.
“Since the discovery of this 250lb American air-dropped bomb from World War Two on Monday morning, we have seen a display of tremendous partnership working.
“I would like to express my thanks to our partners, volunteers and to the police officers and staff who have worked tirelessly over the past few days.
“Military bomb disposal experts have shown tremendous skill and bravery in making this ordnance safe.
“Staff from all agencies have played an important role in bringing this matter to a safe conclusion.
“Thank you again for your hard work, working long shifts and flexibility to bring the operation to a safe conclusion.”
UPDATE: 11.05am, 23/09: Evacuations continuing
Volunteers, council staff and emergency services are continuing to knock on doors an ensure those living inside the cordon have evacuated. A reminder to resident living within the area, please follow police instructions and move outside the exclusion zone and don't return until advised it is safe to do so.
If you have nowhere to go while the operation is underway a temporary reception area is in place at All Saints Church on Killigrew St.
UPDATE: 9.24am, 23/09: Cordon map
Evacuations are currently underway in the cordoned area, which is the red section in the image below. Emergency services, council staff and volunteers are currently knocking on doors and helping residents leave. A temporary reception area is in place at All Saints Church on Killigrew St. If you live in the area, please follow instructions and head out of the cordon.
UPDATE: 8.27am, 23/09: Waste collections
Waste collections for residents living inside the cordon should already have taken place. If any collections have been missed please report it via the council's website:
IMPORTANT UPDATE: 1900, 22/09: Expected Falmouth cordon revised down to 755 metres
Following further specialist advice, the cordon expected to be introduced tomorrow has been revised from 1,400 metres to 755 metres.
A 300-metre cordon remains in place at present. We are updating the details of which properties may be affected by the new cordon.
Unexploded WWII device found off Pendennis Headland, Falmouth
Emergency information for residents, businesses and visitors
Cornwall Council is supporting a multi-agency response after an unexploded Second World War device was discovered off Pendennis Headland in Falmouth.
Police and emergency-service partners are managing the incident and are working to establish a 755-metre safety cordon on Wednesday, September 23.
If you are in the affected area:
Please follow police instructions and leave the evacuation area if you are told to do so
Do not enter the cordoned area
If you have been told to leave, do so promptly
Do not return until police or emergency services confirm that it is safe
If you need help to leave, make yourself known to emergency services when they knock on your door
If you are outside the affected area, please avoid travelling into the area unless necessary
Cornwall Council is working with the police and emergency-service partners to support residents, including providing a safe place to go for anyone who needs one.
The situation may change as specialist teams assess the device. This means the affected area, road closures and other arrangements may change at short notice.
We will update this page as the situation develops. Information will also be shared through Cornwall Council's official social media channels and by our emergency-service partners.
We understand that an incident of this nature may be concerning and that residents may have questions about their homes, travel, work, pets or access to essential services. The information below answers the most common questions. This will be updated as confirmed information becomes available.
Are healthcare services affected?
All local GP surgeries and pharmacies are outside the cordon. The same applies to Falmouth Community Hospital and the minor injury unit. Patients should access these services as normal.
For urgent care advice when your GP surgery is closed, visit NHS 111 online or call 111. The NHS 111 website also has advice on emergency prescriptions.
In a life or limb-threatening emergency, always call 999.
If you are struggling with your mental health or feel you are in crisis, our 24/7 helpline is available. Call 111 and select the mental health option.
When do I need to leave?
If your property is in the evacuation area, the evacuation procedure would begin at 9.00am on Wednesday 23 September. Follow the instructions given by police or emergency services. If you can leave without help please do so. Do not wait for a further council update before following an instruction to evacuate.
I cannot leave without help. What should I do?
When police or emergency services begin the evacuation and knock on your door please notify them and tell them what help you need. If officers come to your property, tell them directly.
Where can I go?
Please head to All Saints Church, Killigrew Street TR11 3PN, or alternatively any area outside the evacuation area.
What should I take?
Take essential medication and medical equipment, your phone and charger, keys, and anything you or your family need while away. Do not delay leaving to gather non-essential belongings.
Should I turn off my water, gas or electricity, open windows, or move my car?
No. Follow the specific instructions issued for this incident. Do not delay your evacuation or return to the cordon to do any of these things unless police tell you it is safe.
I have already left for work. Can I go back to collect things?
Do not enter the evacuation area. If you urgently need medication, medical equipment or another essential item, speak to officers at the cordon.
What happens to schools, nurseries and care services?
Schools, nurseries and care providers will contact the people they support about arrangements specific to them.
I have a medical appointment or a care worker due to visit. What should I do?
If the appointment or visit is within the evacuation area, contact the provider to check arrangements. Tell emergency services who knock on your door if an essential care visit is affected and you need help.
Are healthcare services affected?
All local GP surgeries and pharmacies are outside the cordon. The same applies to Falmouth Community Hospital and the minor injury unit. Patients should access these services as normal.
For urgent care advice when your GP surgery is closed, visit NHS 111 online or call 111. The NHS 111 website also has advice on emergency prescriptions.
In a life or limb-threatening emergency, always call 999.
If you are struggling with your mental health or feel you are in crisis, our 24/7 helpline is available. Call 111 and select the mental health option.
Does this apply to businesses, hotels and visitors?
Yes. Everyone within the affected area must follow police evacuation instructions. Businesses and accommodation providers should pass those instructions to staff, customers and guests.
Will roads, buses, trains or ferries be affected?
Avoid travelling into the affected area. Transport arrangements may change as the incident develops.
Could the evacuation area change?
It may change as specialists assess the incident. If that happens, we will update the map and time-stamp new information on this page. Continue to follow police instructions at the scene.
When can I return home?
Do not go back until police announce that it is safe. We will share that announcement on this page and through official council channels.