Boat Races to go ahead after unexploded bomb is removed

● The Oxford–Cambridge Boat Races will take place today, police have confirmed
● Read Varsity’s live coverage here

Spectators at the 2013 Boat RaceSean O'Neill

by Paul Hyland

This article is 9 years old

Sunday April 2 2017, 2:01pm

The Boat Races are set to go ahead despite the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb behind the start line at Putney, it has been announced.

The police, who were called by a member of the public at 1.50pm yesterday afternoon, had to wait until the tide had receded at around 1am this morning in order to ensure the area was safe.

After extensive searching an item of ordinance was found on foreshore with @MPSHammFul Not believed dangerous, has been removed by experts pic.twitter.com/uviEmsg4Vm
- MPSonthewater (@MPSonthewater) April 2, 2017

The Metropolitan Police have now confirmed that the object was assessed and removed from the area in the early hours of this morning.

Over 250,000 spectators are expected on the banks of the Thames to watch the women’s race, which starts at 4.35 this afternoon, followed an hour later by the men’s race at 5.35.

Follow Varsity’s coverage here

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