Seven Suspected Hand Grenades Found in Hopwood Canal Sparks Urgent Safety Alert
A critical safety warning has been issued after seven suspected hand grenades were discovered during a magnet fishing session in the canal off Lea End Lane on Friday, 20 June 2025.
West Mercia Police confirmed that a man, believed to be in his 50s with grey hair and wearing green trousers, left the scene with five of the suspected explosives, prompting an urgent search operation and widespread public safety concern.
What Happened?
At around 7pm on June 20, a man magnet fishing retrieved seven suspected hand grenades from the water. While two were left on the canal bank, the man reportedly departed with the remaining five — an action police are warning could pose a serious threat to public safety.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams safely detonated the two remaining devices on the bank. A 100-metre cordon was put in place while the scene was secured, but it was lifted by 9:15pm after confirmation the visible grenades were made safe.
Police Response and Appeal
West Mercia Police have launched active searches across the Hopwood area and are appealing directly to the man involved:
“If you are the man who recovered the items, please do not attempt to handle or transport them further. Call 999 immediately,” the force said in a public alert.
Members of the public are also urged not to approach the man but to report sightings or information on the case via 999 quoting this incident.
Why This Matters
Magnet fishing, while popular as a recreational activity, can inadvertently recover unexploded ordnance — including WWII-era grenades, shells, and munitions — that remain volatile decades later.
This incident demonstrates the clear and present danger such finds can pose, and the importance of alerting authorities rather than intervening personally.
“Safety must be the top priority. These devices may appear inert, but without expert assessment, they remain unpredictable and lethal,” police reiterated.
How to Stay Safe
- Report any sightings of a man matching the description (grey hair, green trousers, approx. 50 years old) to 999 immediately.
- Avoid the Lea End Lane canal area unless officially declared safe by police.
- Magnet fishing hobbyists should never attempt to take or transport suspicious items — leave them and call emergency services.
- Follow verified police updates through the West Mercia Police website or trusted local news outlets.
Ongoing Investigation
As of Saturday morning, the five missing grenades remain unaccounted for. Authorities are asking anyone in the Hopwood, Alvechurch or Wythall areas who witnessed suspicious activity or knows the man involved to contact police urgently.
