Bomb (Air Delivered) event in Warwickshire, Coventry area, United Kingdom on Tue 2nd June 2026

Residents evacuated for night after WW2 bomb found

Roads remain shut after 96 homes were evacuated on Tuesday following the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb.

West Midlands Police said the device was discovered during construction work at Sandy Lane Business Park in Coventry on Tuesday afternoon.

The force said a 100-metre cordon had been put in place, with officers remaining at the scene overnight. Army bomb disposal experts were assessing the device and the work could continue throughout the evening and into the morning.

Temporary accommodation was provided for residents in buildings such as the Central Library, although some said they had booked hotels for the night.

Coventry City Council was supporting displaced residents, police said.

One of them, Sean O'Brien, told the BBC he and his partner had to evacuate their apartment.

He said people had been given shelter at the city's central library, but he had booked a cheap hotel for the night and was awaiting further information.

He added police had been supplying them with updates.