UPDATED - Hollicombe Beach declared safe after EOD investigation

3PM - Hollicombe Beach has been cleared of beachgoers whilst an ongoing incident is being handled by UK Coastguard, Devon and Cornwall Police and the Royal Navy’s Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team.
At around 12.40pm today, UK Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public who had discovered a group of boulders appearing to have holes drilled in them with some wires sticking out on Hollicombe Beach, near Torquay.

 Torbay Coastguard Rescue Team were sent to the location immediately and cleared the public away from the area as a precautionary measure.  Devon and Cornwall Police and the EOD team were also informed.  The EOD team is on route and will be arriving at around 4.00pm.
Rob Priestley, Duty Controller for the UK Coastguard said:  ‘We won’t know exactly what we are dealing with until the EOD team arrive.  Until that time, we have taken measures to clear the beach and make sure the public are kept safe.  We are appealing to people to stay away from the area until it has been declared safe by the EOD.
‘We have no further information at this time but will hopefully provide an update after the EOD team have assessed the situation.’

 5.30PM UPDATE - After a thorough investigation by the EOD experts, the boulders have been declared safe. The cordon on the beach is currently being lifted. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone!

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