Grenade event in Belfast, Bridge Street, Lisburn area, United Kingdom on Thu 16th February 2023

After the recent discovery people should be cautious when magnet fishing in the waterway or indeed angling of any kind. Anglers on the Lagan are being warned to be cautious after police revealed a viable WWII hand-grenade was discovered by a magnet fisherman. The explosive catch was found on the Bridget Street area of the popular Lambeg walkway on Sunday February 19. The scene was closed off for some time while army technical officers dealt with the historic weapon. Downshire East UUP councillor Alex Swan, who is on the board of the Lagan Valley Regional Park, said: "I would be concerned that potentially other devices could be found, though perhaps not likely it remains a possibility. "After the recent discovery people should be cautious when magnet fishing in the waterway or indeed angling of any kind. "If anyone finds a suspicious device I would urge them to contact the PSNI and not to be tempted to take the any such object away from the scene, for their own safety and that of others. "There will be a meeting of the board next week and I am sure that this incident will be discussed further." It is not known at this time how the device came to be in the location. PSNI Inspector Donnelly said: ÒPolice received a report of a suspicious object located at the Bridge Street area of Lisburn on Sunday afternoon, 19th February. ÒA number of cordons were put in place, as a historic WW2-type grenade was located by a member of the public who was magnet fishing in the area. ÒAmmunition Technical Officers attended and a controlled explosion was carried out on the object, which had been confirmed as viable and was subsequently taken away by police. ÒPolice thanked the local community for their patience during the public safety operation." The local democracy service asked the police if there was a need to search the waterway further for any more potential devices. However, a spokesperson said the PSNI would add anything further.