ROAD closures in Poole have been lifted after a bomb disposal team have safely cleared the reported hand grenade in Plantation Woods.

Temporary closures in both directions between Darby's Corner roundabout and Stinsford Road roundabout, and on Stinsford Road have been removed.

Police first appeared on the scene at 8.39am this morning after a member of the public had found what was believed to be a hand grenade in woods off Plantation Road in Poole.

A Poole resident living on Canford Heath Road said: “Police arrived here at around twenty to nine this morning.

“There were only a couple of officers here and then they told us there was a hand grenade in there and they started closing the roads.

“There are never usually this many people who walk down this road or cars that drive around this roundabout.

“I would have thought that the bomb disposal team would have turned up a little sooner.”

A temporary road closure was put in place on Canford Heath Road from the Ashdown Roundabout to limit traffic but was soon lifted to allow access for Tollerford Road.

Bournemouth Echo:

Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts were called to the scene after a 70-metre cordon was put in place by police.

After assessing the situation, members of the team removed the item and safely disposed of it at a different location.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “Following the discovery of what was believed to be a hand grenade in woods off Plantation Road in Poole earlier today, the item has now been removed by Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts and has been safely disposed of at another location.

“The cordon has been removed and road closures have been lifted.

“We would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding during this incident.”