Bomb disposal team works on suspected grenade discovered in Watford playground (From Watford Observer)

Bomb disposal team works on suspected grenade discovered in St John's Road playground in Watford

5:21pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Mike Wright and Zoe Forsey

A team of explosive experts is working on a suspected grenade which was found in children’s playground in central Watford.

According to eyewitnesses a Royal Logistics Corps bomb disposal van pulled up in St Johns Road in the last half hour.

Three officers have been seen working in the corner of the playground.

Police have cordoned off the roads surrounding the area and have started evacuating homes nearby.

The suspected devise is said to have been discovered this afternoon by builders digging in the St Johns Road Playground.

Saimir Gjini, a publican at the nearby Escort Arms, said officers asked him to close his pub for a few hours at around 4.30pm.

He said: “They are asking people to stay away from the road and they are not letting anyone through.

“We were a bit surprised. This is the first time this sort of thing has happened. They have done work there before.”