Over 150 World War II Bombs 'Containing Charges' Found Beneath Children's Park, Authorities Say 'We Could Still Find Another Pit'

Mar. 15, 2025

Scotts Park in Wooler, Northumberland.Photo:Mark Mather

Mark Mather

A staggering 176 World War II-era bombs have been uncovered under a children’s park in England, according to reports.The bombs were found “still containing charges” during construction work at Scotts Park in Wooler, Northumberland, in January,BBC Newsand local outletChronicle Livereported.Northumbria Police said in a statement to PEOPLE they first received a report of a “metallic object” found in the area, which was confirmed to be an old training ground, on Jan. 14.“At around 2.30 p.m. … we received a call from workers excavating an area in Scots Park on Weetwood Road in Wooler, Northumberland,” said police. “It was reported they had found a metallic object – believed to be an old mortar shell.”“Officers attended the scene along with an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team (EOD) as a precaution. It was confirmed to be an old training round, and the item was later safely removed from the area.”Excavation at Scotts Park.Mark MatherNorthumbria Police confirmed they “received a similar report” of a second discovery on Jan. 15. “Both calls were made in good faith and there is no wider threat to the public,” they added.According to BBC News, Wooler Parish Council received a grant of £150,000 in December to build an inclusive playpark extended onto the play area in Scotts Park.Construction work began on the park on Jan. 6 — but was halted days later when workers discovered a “suspicious object” while digging foundations for the project and notified police,Chronicle Newsreported.A bomb disposal squad member from Catterick Barracks confirmed at the site that the object was a World War Two training device, according to the outlet.The Ministry of Defense then carried out a full site survey of the area, where they subsequently found 65 bombs, weighing 10 lbs. each. The following day, they widened their area and uncovered 90 other bombs, both outlets reported.Ordnance recovered at Scotts Park.Mark MatherWooler Conservative councilor Mark Mather told BBC News, “They are called practice bombs so they’re not live, but they do still carry a charge and were found with the fuse and contents intact so they could be hazardous.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.It is reportedly expected that more bombs will be uncovered at the park as excavation work is suspected to continue over the next few weeks.“Clearly this find was unexpected,” A Northumberland County Council spokesperson said, per BBC News. “But we are pleased to have been able to find the extra funding to allow this crucial work to be done safely.“Mather added to the outlet, “It’s been a really challenging situation. We’ve only cleared about a third of all the park and we could still find another pit with more bombs.”

A staggering 176 World War II-era bombs have been uncovered under a children’s park in England, according to reports.

The bombs were found “still containing charges” during construction work at Scotts Park in Wooler, Northumberland, in January,BBC Newsand local outletChronicle Livereported.

Northumbria Police said in a statement to PEOPLE they first received a report of a “metallic object” found in the area, which was confirmed to be an old training ground, on Jan. 14.

“At around 2.30 p.m. … we received a call from workers excavating an area in Scots Park on Weetwood Road in Wooler, Northumberland,” said police. “It was reported they had found a metallic object – believed to be an old mortar shell.”

“Officers attended the scene along with an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team (EOD) as a precaution. It was confirmed to be an old training round, and the item was later safely removed from the area.”

Excavation at Scotts Park.Mark Mather

Northumbria Police confirmed they “received a similar report” of a second discovery on Jan. 15. “Both calls were made in good faith and there is no wider threat to the public,” they added.

According to BBC News, Wooler Parish Council received a grant of £150,000 in December to build an inclusive playpark extended onto the play area in Scotts Park.

Construction work began on the park on Jan. 6 — but was halted days later when workers discovered a “suspicious object” while digging foundations for the project and notified police,Chronicle Newsreported.

A bomb disposal squad member from Catterick Barracks confirmed at the site that the object was a World War Two training device, according to the outlet.

The Ministry of Defense then carried out a full site survey of the area, where they subsequently found 65 bombs, weighing 10 lbs. each. The following day, they widened their area and uncovered 90 other bombs, both outlets reported.

Ordnance recovered at Scotts Park.Mark Mather

Wooler Conservative councilor Mark Mather told BBC News, “They are called practice bombs so they’re not live, but they do still carry a charge and were found with the fuse and contents intact so they could be hazardous.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

It is reportedly expected that more bombs will be uncovered at the park as excavation work is suspected to continue over the next few weeks.

“Clearly this find was unexpected,” A Northumberland County Council spokesperson said, per BBC News. “But we are pleased to have been able to find the extra funding to allow this crucial work to be done safely.”

Mather added to the outlet, “It’s been a really challenging situation. We’ve only cleared about a third of all the park and we could still find another pit with more bombs.”

source: people.com