Evacuation as grenade found in Walsall garden

Families were evacuated and a bomb disposal team called after a grenade was found in a Walsall garden.

The alarm was raised after a resident made the discovery in Alexandra Road, Palfrey.

Police were called and the road was cordoned off as experts were called into to assess whether it was live and dangerous.

It was deemed safe to move from the front garden and a controlled explosion was then carried out in another location.

The grenade is believed to have been found hidden away as a family were doing gardening work at their home.

West Midlands Police spokesman Lee Page said: "Police were called to Alexandra Road, Walsall, after a suspected grenade was found in a garden at around 12.45pm and a 150-metre cordon was put in place.

"The Army EOD (bomb disposal) team was called to the location and the grenade was made safe. Alexandra Road had been closed as a precaution, however the road re-opened at around 3pm.

"Police thank the community for their patience whilst the incident was brought to a safe conclusion."

Neighbours told of their shock at seeing bomb disposal teams in their street and being asked to leave their homes.

Avais Kawos, aged 31, lives next door to where the grenade was discovered, and returned to the street to find the cordon in place.

"People were waiting around for it to be clear. I was told they found it next to my fence while cleaning the garden.

"It was a surprise as you don't expect to find something like that."

Viyja Kainth, vice chairman of the Caldmore and Palfrey neighbourhood watch, said: "Residents around Alexandra Road were alarmed, it was a bit of a shock. They did the right thing calling the police."