The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Leuchars base evacuated after wartime grenade handed over.
Bomb disposal experts drafted in as police set up exclusion zone around the area
An Army base in Fife was evacuated after a wartime grenade was handed over by a member of the public.
Police threw a cordon around Leuchars Station as bomb disposal experts were drafted in to the deal with the Second World War device.
Buildings on the base – which is home to several army units – were evacuated, including a children’s nursery.
The alarm was raised at 10.30am yesterday when a member of the public took the grenade to the Royal Military Police.
A 200-metre exclusion zone was established by police and remained in place until just before 2pm, after the device was dealt with by the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team.
Pre-school children in the Bright Horizons Day Care Centre were taken to safety in the village’s community centre.
A message to the community from Leuchars Station said the grenade was brought to the military police yesterday morning.
It said: “Consequently, a 200metre cordon has been placed around the device as a matter of procedure and caution.
“All buildings within the vicinity have been evacuated. EOD have been tasked and will assess the device on arrival.
“All children at Bright Horizons have been moved to the community centre.” An update in the afternoon said: “We have been given the all clear.
“The cordon is being collapsed and normal access to camp resumed. Thank you for your patience.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said officers attended Leuchars Station army base following a report of potential ammunition being brought to the site.
A cordon was established to ensure safety of the public while the EOD assessed the item.
She said: “The incident was reported to police around 10.30am.
“The EOD attended and safely disposed of the device shortly before 2pm and the cordon was subsequently removed – the public are thanked for their patience.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “A member of the public made us aware of the grenade.
“Police Scotland contacted the EOD team and they cordoned off the area as a precautionary measure.”