Unexploded wartime bomb does not stop 163rd Boat Race

The university Boat Race went ahead after a suspected World War Two bomb was discovered by the River Thames, police have said. The find was made near Putney Bridge, west London, on Saturday - a day before the 163rd Oxford v Cambridge race. Work to assess what may be “submerged ordnance” continued yesterday morning. A bomb disposal unit had to wait for the tide to go out to take a better look at it, police added. The Thames river tide receded at about 01:00 BST. Crowds of up to 300,000 people were expected to line the banks of the River Thames. Spectators have been warned to be vigilant following the attack at Westminster, reported the Telegraph. “The security threat level remains at severe and, as always, we would encourage those attending to be aware of their surroundings and be vigilant,” the Met said in a statement. Roads in the area of the suspected bomb currently remain open. The Met confirmed officers were in attendance on the northern bank of the river at Chelsea. A statement said: “Police were called by a member of the public at approximately 1:50pm on Saturday... reporting what they thought to be World War Two ordnance on the Chelsea shoreline by Putney Bridge. “Officers including the Marine Policing Unit are in attendance.” Michelle Dite, race director of the Boat Race, said on Saturday: “At this stage the races will go ahead as planned. “Any decisions regarding changes to the event will be made in conjunction with the police.” The bomb was found by a passing sailor and was located on the Chelsea bank of the river on the north side of Putney Bridge. The races started on the other side of Putney Bridge, with the women’s race at 4:35pm and the men’s race at 5:35pm.