This morning, officials started knocking on doors at 8am to tell people to leave (Image: SWNS)
Over 3,000 people have been told to evacuate because of a suspected old Nazi bomb, but some won’t go. The area that’s off-limits is now bigger, covering more than 300 metres from where the World War Two ordinance was found in someone’s garden.
The council says that in Plymouth, Devon, the cordoned-off zone that started on Tuesday morning now includes 1,219 homes and 3,250 people living there.
Loads of people had to pack up and stay in hotels or with family, and there’s a place for them to rest at the Plymouth Life Centre too.
Cops got to St Michael Avenue Keyham just after 10:30am on Tuesday, and they’re telling everyone to stay away while the Navy’s bomb experts handle it.
They think the blocked-off area, which covers lots of streets, will be there for at least a day and a half.
The no-go zone that started on Tuesday morning now includes 1,219 homes and 3,250 people living there (Image: SWNS)
Read more Hundreds of families turfed out overnight as police make shocking discovery
Plymouth City Council explained that they made the blocked area bigger so the bomb disposal team could safely work on the unexploded bomb.
A spokesperson said: “The military advice is clear if you live within 309m of the device, you will need to evacuate to ensure your safety.”
This morning, officials started knocking on doors at 8am to tell people to leave, and they’ve been asked to bring clothes, medicine, or anything they need for a few days.
Some locals have decided to stay put despite warnings and police asking them to leave.
One person explained: “Not myself. It’s not that easy for those with multi pet/pets with additional needs to simply ‘get out’.”
The cordon is now bigger, covering more than 300 metres (Image: SWNS)
Another shared their concern: “I have two cats and unable to take them with me and not prepared to leave them on their own for three days.
“Plus if it’s that dangerous for me why would I leave my cats here to die alone?
“If I had somewhere for my cats to go then of course I would go. I don’t want them in danger either but I have no where to take them that’s the reason I’m staying.”
Someone else mentioned they didn’t have to leave by law and chose to remain at home.
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They said: “I have seven cats. I spoke to the police this morning and you have no legal obligation to leave it’s just recommended, I am literally about 20 meters away from the line and even if they extend it I’m not leaving, I’ll take responsibility for my choice.”
Another resident noted: “I’ve just had the MOD police around and they are fine about me remaining because of my personal circumstances.
“They are absolutely lovely, took my number and assured me I’ll be able to get back in when I leave the house to go to an appointment today and tomorrow, and thanked me for making provisions for my disabled son to stay elsewhere.”
Another neighbour shared: “I’m not very well at the moment with serious health issues and waiting for urgent surgery any day, so I’m hoping to stay at home to be honest.
“PCC are aware that we would need accommodation, if the current advice for us does change, so it’s just a case of being patient & waiting for updates I suppose”.
People who have been forced to evacuate can go to the Plymouth Life Centre (Image: SWNS)
A different local resident disclosed: “My property falls outside of the cordon, but I’m unable to leave as the access to my street is part of the exclusion zone. PCC are aware that we need accommodation if the advice for us does change.”
“I would sooner they help those in the exclusion zone with children first & don’t want to add to the crisis if there’s no need for me to.”
An anxious homeowner added: “Some don’t yet have accommodation sorted and can’t yet leave. The council are working hard but there’s only been a short window of time to help those with disabled family members etc.”
“So stop attacking those ‘refusing’ to leave. It’s more complex than simply grabbing a bag and vacating”.
Another agreed: “Not everyone’s circumstances are the same.”
“Some people would rather go down with the house they’ve worked for all their life as potentially it wouldn’t be covered on insurance without a court battle.”
“Others may not have long enough left to await a new house being built”.
A different local dweller chimed in: “To be fair as inconvenient as it may be it’s better than leaving in a body bag.”
“It won’t be for long and if everyone helps each other and work together I’m sure the outcome will be positive.”
“My thoughts are with all affected and thank you to all those pulling together to keep our Plymouth community safe”.
Chief Superintendent of Devon and Cornwall Police, Matt Longman, commented: “It means there’ll be more impact on people and I can’t imagine how difficult it is to be dealing with that.” He added: “Everybody’s patience that we asked for yesterday has paid off and it has allowed us to get in the best experts we can to get the safest and least disruptive plan as a multi-agency operation.”
