Undefined Explosive Device (UED) event in Worcestershire, Worcester area, United Kingdom on Thu 22nd July 2021

A potential bomb scare led to a road near to Worcester city centre being evacuated. Residents of Comer Road, in St John’s, were told to leave their homes shortly after midday on Thursday, July 22, when builders discovered a metal cylinder. West Merica Police confirmed that a specialist squad was called in to deal with the mysterious object. A statement released at midday read: "Officers are in attendance at Comer Road in Worcester, dealing with a potential suspect explosive. "Bomb disposal experts from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) have arrived at the scene and are assessing the situation. "A 100m cordon has been established around the area and local residents are being evacuated as a precaution and for their safety. "We are asking the public to stay out of the area and use alternative travel routes." The whole operation was dealt with in around half an hour and the cordon was lifted at 12:35pm after it was discovered there was no explosive device. West Mercia Police said: “Specialist officers determined that the suspicious item was an old metal water cylinder. “Builders at a property noticed it buried deep in the ground and appropriately called the police.” Neighbours seemed relatively unfazed by the afternoon's events. One resident, Robert Billingham, said: "We were evacuated to the end of the road. They found a container but I don't think it was a bomb. "The police said it was a metal container and they were giving it a poke with a stick." Another, Susan Bowman, added: "Police came to the door. I didn't hear them come as I was upstairs and by the time I came down the police said I didn't have to leave."