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Unexploded bomb alert in Gillingham

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Watch footage of the
scene and hear local resident Mick Booker describe events.

by Keyan Milanian, Jenni Horn and
Alan Watkins

A suspected unexploded Second World
War bomb has been found in Gillingham.

Police have set up a cordon in
The Vineries area and some homes have been evacuated.

The Vineries in Gillingham
The Vineries in Gillingham

Officers were called at
about 11.30am to a garden in which the device was found.

The bomb was removed at 1.30pm by
bomb disposal experts and the cordon taken down.

Speaking during the incident, Mick
Booker, from Poppy Close, said: "The police came to the front door
and asked us to evacuate our building because of a bomb they
found.

"Now they have cordoned off Speedwell Close and Poppy Close and the
top end of the Vineries.

"There are a few people watching and waiting to see what is
happening, it is very, very scary.

"They have not said where it is or anything, just that it is an
unexploded device."

Mr Booker said police cars had been stationed in a number of the
roads in the area.

  • A recent report for Medway Council assessed the risk of German bombs still being found in Chatham.

Chatham Dock - which is a short distance from the vineries - was
attacked in both World Wars.

The main First World War attack was by Gotha bombers which hit
the RN barracks and killed more than 130 sailors sleeping
in the Drill Hall (now the Universities at Medway library).

During the Second World War the docks complex was repeatedly
attacked.

Chatham was hit by 267 high explosive bombs, and 1,535
incendiaries.

A total of 47 local people were killed, 225 injured, 297 homes
destroyed, and 4,478 were damaged.

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