Tooting unexploded bombs: Homes evacuated after builders dig up First World War shells

A south London street was evacuated this afternoon after two unexploded First World War shells were unearthed.

Church Lane in Tooting was cordoned off after the find was made at 5.30pm. The 18lb shells, discovered in a garden during building works, were later declared safe and the blockade was lifted.

An officer from Wandsworth Police told the Standard: “They were dug up by builders doing some work on a house on Church Lane. They decided to leave them in the garden and go home and gave the home owner a call saying where they’d left them.

“Fortunately our expo officers were soon on scene and confirmed they were First World War era 18 pound shells.

“They had never been fired and had the firing mechanism and contents removed, so they were perfectly safe. They will make great doorstops, though.”

Neighbours took to social media to share their alarm as police told them to leave their houses.

Steven Dent ‏(@steven_dent) tweeted: "Police cordon up near Church lane in Tooting due to an apparent unexploded WW2 bomb..."

Isabella Bradford ‏(@Isabella_FB) wrote: "When you're just about to have your family round for birthday drinks and your road is evacuated cos of an unexploded WW2 bomb."