Grenade event in Hartlepool, Crimdon Dene Beach area, United Kingdom on Wed 8th April 2026

About 150 'WW2 phosphorus grenades' found at beach

About 150 of what police believe are phosphorus-based grenades used in WW2 have been found at a beach, the BBC understands.

Cleveland Police said a quantity of suspected WW2 ordnance was discovered and had been set alight, leaving one person with minor burns, as crews were called to Crimdon Dene beach, near Hartlepool, on Tuesday morning.

The Army said its experts found more than 150 self-igniting phosphorus (SIPs) grenades which were designed to light on contact with the air and produce a flame.

Controlled explosions to dispose of them were carried out on Tuesday, it said.

The Army said the grenades were World War II weapons used by the British Home Guard as anti-tank devices.

It said there was an extreme risk of severe burns or serious injury if handled incorrectly and advised people to report any suspected SIP grenades they found to the police immediately.

Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Team said "while it is very rare to find unexploded ordnance on a visit to the beach, bad weather and high tides can expose these objects".

"Our shores are filled with history, but remnants from the past can still sometimes wash up on our shores today," it said.

The team also said it was "important important to be cautious, as ordnance comes in all shapes and sizes" and advised anyone who came across any unusual items not to touch or move them and call 999.