Bystanders were ‘fearful’ as they were led out of the building (Image: BPM Media)

The D-Day Museum was evacuated shortly after someone gave the grenade to the workers as a “donation”.

Officials at the Castletown D-Day Center in Portland, Dorset, contacted police after receiving the item after noon on Wednesday.

Bystanders were “fearful” when they evacuated the building.

One of the locals who did not want to be identified said: “I’ve been taking my kids back to school since the last day of school. Yeah, that’s not what you hear every day.”

Portland Mayor Pete Roper couldn’t believe someone would decide to hand over the grenade.

He states, “I couldn’t understand the thought process. I need faith.

“We had to leave the grenade alone, and the police called as soon as they found it.”

The police asked everyone to leave the building and surrounding land and set up a 50 meter cordon zone.

BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Image: The BNPS D-Day Museum had to evacuate after the public brought in grenades as

Castletown D-Day Center in Portland, Dorset (Image: BNPS)

After the grenade was thrown, police were near the Castletown D-Day Center in Portland and the road was closed on Wednesday (July 20). At the Castletown Roundabout, Castletown is closed in both directions because police officers are keeping police officers on site.

Police installed a 50m cordon around the area, causing a delay (Image: BPM Media).

BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Image: The BNPS D-Day Museum had to evacuate after the public brought in grenades as

Witnesses were shocked that someone would hand over a grenade before immediately calling the police (Image: BNPS)

Traffic was increasing in the area, and trucks and buses had to queue and divert to take the ferry to the port.

The Army’s unexploded ordnance disposal team safely removed the grenades and disposed of them in a controlled manner.

A spokesperson for the museum said:

“As a security matter, we immediately advised the authorities who took the confirmed security measures on Wednesday before the grenades were taken safely to the Royal Navy’s explosives department for disposal.”

“We can accept donations such as medals and uniforms, but even if you think potentially dangerous things are safe, we recommend that you call the police before bringing them.”

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