September 8, 2016
Torpedoes, anti-tank mines and hand grenades are among hundreds of potentially explosive devices found in the north of Scotland in recent years.
The bomb squad has been called out to more than 300 incidents across the north and north-east since 2011.
Police Scotland does not currently have its own bomb squad, or explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit, and relies on the support of the armed forces.
The Edinburgh Troupe of the British Army’s 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal regiment supports police on land, while the navy’s Northern Diving Group carries out operations offshore, in rivers, or near the coastline.
Last year there were more than 50 occasions where the units were called out to suspected explosives.
According to figures obtained by the Press and Journal, Aberdeen has had the most call-outs in the past five years – with more than 50. The team were called to Inverness more than 20 times during the same period since 2011.
In June, Nairn beach was sealed off after five unexploded devices dating back to WWII were found.
The beach was used for training as the Allies prepared for the D-Day Normandy Landings in June 1944.