An elementary school in Derbyshire, UK, had to evacuate after a student brought in a World War II hand grenade for a show-and-tell event. The bomb disposal team was called in as a precaution to ensure safety. This incident occurred on May 16, when a boy unexpectedly presented the grenade during the assembly.
Janet Hart, the principal, expressed her relief that she took the matter seriously but, at the same time, was unsure whether the grenade was live when she seized it from the child. She opted to place it discreetly behind a tree in the parking lot to avoid escalating panic among the students.
Hart described the assembly as quite eventful, noting, “There was a boy who brought an old bullet case, but his friend came out with a hand grenade from his pocket.” The children appeared curious but confused about the situation, especially when the police arrived on the scene.
According to reports, the police X-rayed the grenade and confirmed that it was safe. They commended the school’s staff for their quick and attentive response. A spokesperson for local police teams mentioned, “We were able to analyze the X-rays and verified there was nothing hazardous about the grenade.” It turned out the boy found the device, a family heirloom, without informing his parents about it. Afterward, Hart had a discussion with him, learning that he brought the item because he found it fascinating in the context of their VE Day discussions.
