A MORTAR bomb sparked the evacuation of a police station this afternoon after it was handed in on the first day of the Metropolitan Police's gun 'amnesty'.
Explosives officers from the Met's SO15 team were called and cordons set up after the Second World War weapon, from 1940, was placed on the front counter of Sutton Police station by an 80-year-old man.
The man, from Wigmore Road, Carshalton, told police the device, which belonged to his father, had been resting on on his mantelpiece as an ornament for the last ten years, and he had made a point of regularly keeping it clean.
The explosives officers declared the three-inch mortar safe at 2.15pm, just under an hour after it was handed in. They believe it may have originally been used for military drill or training as it did not have a fuse or firing pin.
When the bomb was brought into the police station, front counter staff were told what it was but could not check on its condition because it was wrapped in plastic bags.
Acting Chief Insp Andy Brittain said: "We felt it was appropriate to call in the experts and get them to deal with it - in the meantime we took steps to protect our officers, staff and members of the public."
Police set up a cordon around the building blocking off Carshalton Road from the High Street to the High Street junction with Throwley Way, while the explosives experts inspected the bomb.
The bomb was the third item to be handed in at Sutton Police Station today as part of the 'amnesty'.
An elderly male on a mobility scooter arrived at the station earlier in the day with a gun in his front basket, while another resident handed in his father's Second World War service revolver and holster.
The London-wide 'amnesty' - named a gun surrender by the Met - is designed to get unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition off the streets.
The surrender started at 7am today (Monday) and will run until 11pm on November 23.
The Met say those surrendering firearms may not face prosecution for illegal possession and they can remain anonymous, however each live weapon is being forensically checked for evidence.
According to Met police figures there has been a significant reduction in gun crime in London in recent years, with the figures for 2013/14 the lowest in six years.
The force seized 300 firearms from proactive operations last year.
