Undefined Explosive Device (UED) event in Kent, Marine Drive, Broadstairs area, United Kingdom on Mon 12th December 2022

An Army bomb disposal team has been tasked to Botany Bay today (December 12) after three possible unexploded ordnance devices were reported. Kent Police have cordoned off an area at the scene between the Captain Digby and Botany Bay Hotel. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team arrived this morning after being called in by police. A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 8.17am o a report that three suspicious devices had been found in the Marine Drive area of Broadstairs. “Officers attended to assist the EOD and a cordon was set up as a precaution. The items were confirmed to be safe.” An Army spokesperson added: “I can confirm that an Army EOD team from Shorncliffe Troop, 621 EOD Sqn, 11 EOD&S Regt, attended Marine Drive, Broadstairs at the request of Kent Police. The team identified that the items were non-hazardous and were returned to the police.” The Botany Bay Hotel provided space for residents who had been evacuated from three properties while the incident was dealt with. Shepherd Neame’s Managing Director, Pubs, Jonathon Swaine, said: “Our Botany Bay Hotel in Marine Drive, Broadstairs, was contacted by Kent Police this morning (Monday, December 12) to ask if it could provide somewhere for residents of three evacuated properties to shelter while the operation is being carried out. “We have several residents currently at our site, who are being supplied with tea and coffee while they are unable to go back to their homes. Our hotel continues to trade as normal, and is unaffected by the operation.”