Bomb squad called to area around Northampton retail park as cordon is put in place during river search

A bomb squad was called to a river in Northampton after magnet fishermen found what they thought was a World War Two shell.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) was deployed to the River Nene, close to Smyths Toys in St James' Retail Park in Towcester Road on Saturday (February 13).

As a precaution, a cordon was put in place as a specialist team searched the river after magnet fishermen found what they thought was a World War Two shell.

The team concluded that the item was harmless and had already been detonated.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said: "This happened on February 13 at 11.10am when magnet fishermen came across what they thought was a WW2 shell near Smyths Toys.

"The MOD deployed and a cordon was put in place as a precaution.

"Turns out the item was harmless as it had already been detonated."

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