Bomb squad rush to city centre as area is evacuated after magnet fisherman pulls suspected explosive device out of river
- Rusty object believed to be an explosive device pulled from River Aire in Leeds
- Large cordon was placed around the area and nearby businesses evacuated
- West Yorkshire Police later confirmed 'shell-like' object is an old mooring post
A bomb squad rushed to a busy city centre this afternoon after a suspected explosive device was pulled from a river by a magnet fisherman.
The rusty, 'shell-like' object was pulled from the River Aire in Leeds, West Yorkshire at around 2pm today, prompting the evacuation of an area near Granary Wharf.
The fisherman, Ian Major, alerted police who called in explosive experts from The Army, while nearby walkways were cordoned off and traffic was redirected.
It was later confirmed by West Yorkshire Police that the rusted metal object was an old mooring post and the cordon was lifted.
A statement said: 'Further enquiries have established the object is a mooring post. The cordon has now been removed.'
Pictured: A 'shell-like' metal object which was pulled from the River Aire in Leeds, West Yorkshire today
The rusty, 'shell-like' object was pulled from the River Aire in Leeds, West Yorkshire at around 2pm today, prompting the evacuation of an area near Granary Wharf
The fisherman, Ian Major, alerted police who called in explosive experts from The Army, while nearby walkways were cordoned off and traffic was redirected
A number of businesses and at least one pub were evacuated and traffic was being redirected amid an investigation into the object this afternoon.
As well as police it is understood the Explosive Ordnance Device branch of The Army were in attendance from Catterick Garrison near Richmond.Mr Major, 39, discovered the item while magnet fishing in the River Aire with his teenage nephew Nathan Oldfield, Leeds Live reported.
Speaking about the unusual find, he said: 'We chucked the magnets in and managed to get hold of an old mooring - which is what they use on boats - and that's what we were trying to go for.
It was confirmed by West Yorkshire Police that the metal object was an old mooring post
Mr Major, 39, discovered the item while magnet fishing in the River Aire with his teenage nephew Nathan Oldfield
'That dropped off the magnet and when we threw it in again we pulled this out. It took two of us to get it out.
'When we first looked at it we thought it was a lump of metal but on closer inspection it appeared to be more shell-like. I'm ex-forces so I had an idea of what I was looking at.'
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman earlier said: 'Police are currently dealing with an incident in Leeds City Centre where a rusty metal object was found in the river in Canal Wharf.
'A cordon is in place and the local area has been evacuated. The public are advised to avoid the area at this time.'
As well as police it is understood the Explosive Ordnance Device branch of The Army were in attendance from Catterick Garrison near Richmond
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