Mine event in Devon, Torr Quarry, Kingsbridge area, United Kingdom on Sat 14th October 2023

A Second World War bouncing mine has been found in a Devon recycling centre. Police in Kingsbridge confirmed that the unexploded ordnance was discovered at Torr Quarry earlier today (Saturday October 14). A spokesperson for Kingsbridge Police said the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Squad from Plymouth was called in after the mine was found by staff. The Bomb Squad later identified the unexploded device as German S-mine dating back to the Second World War. German S-mine, also known as the "Bouncing Betty" on the Western Front and "frog-mine" on the Eastern Front, was the best-known version of a class of mines known as bounding mines. When triggered, these mines are launched into the air and then detonated at about one metre from the ground. It was later blown up at a nearby beach. The Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "Officers from Kingsbridge Neighbourhood Policing Team attended a report of a possible explosive device found at Torr Quarry recycling Centre earlier today. "The Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Squad attended and confirmed the device as a probable WW2 S-Mine. It was safely retrieved and subsequently detonated at a nearby beach. Thanks to the staff at Torr Quarry for alerting us."