Magnet fishing in the Peterborough area has seen dangerous items such as explosive devices and firearms uncovered - according to new Freedom of Information (FOI) data.

Magnet fishing is a hobby where people use high-powered magnets to retrieve metal objects from rivers, canals and lakes.

The activity has surged on social media in recent years, but it can also lead to alarming discoveries, from firearms to “bombs” – all requiring police intervention.

FOI data from Cambridgeshire Police, obtained by Mountain Skip Hire, shows 29 magnet-fishing-related incidents recorded across the county between 2022 and September 2025.

Inset: Magnet fishing kit. Main image: The River Nene in Peterborough.

placeholder image — Inset: Magnet fishing kit. Main image: The River Nene in Peterborough.

After a drop in 2023, activity has risen again, with seven incidents recorded in 2025, more than any year since 2022.

Peterborough and Huntingdon are deemed to be ‘hotspot areas’ – with 11 such incidents recorded in the city over the four-year period, while there were seven in Huntingdon, and two in Fenland.

Weapons, suspicious devices and concern reports logged

Across Cambridgeshire, over the four-year period, police recorded:

Thankfully no danger here: a magnet fisherman retrieving a rusty shovel out of the water.

• 4 firearms-related incidents (2022 and 2024)

• 3 bomb incidents (2022, 2024, 2025)

• 2 suspected explosive devices (2022)

• 8 suspicious circumstances reports

• Multiple cases involving found property or concern for safety

In total, 15 incidents in 2022, three in 2023, four in 2024, and seven in 2025 (up to 30 September) were linked to magnet fishing. All five bomb/suspected explosive device incidents had EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) attend.

Peterborough consistently reported magnet-fishing callouts in every year of the dataset.

A spokesperson for Cambs Police said: “There are all sorts of things that can be pulled from waterways when magnet fishing, including dangerous objects or items which may have been used in crime.

“Rather than risk anyone’s safety, or potentially contaminating evidence, if you find a weapon of any sort, or something which may be a form of explosive device, please leave it where you found it and call us so it can be safely and properly recovered.

“Additionally, magnet fishers are advised to seek permission from the waterways owners/controllers and agree what to do with anything else retrieved from the bottom. We would always advise avoiding littering by leaving items on the side of the water.

“Magnet fishing has become more popular in recent years and we want to highlight this advice so people can enjoy their hobby safely.”