RAF Wittering bomb disposal squadron to be disbanded

Bomb disposal squad called to Stokesay Court, Longthorpe EMN-160621-211934009

This afternoon a spokesman for the Peterborough base said 5131 Bomb Disposal Squadron would be disbanded by April 2020, with bomb disposal services transferred to the British Army.

The spokesman said there would be no redundancies - either military or civilian as a result of the move, as members of the squadron were armourers or engineers, and they would be able to continue in those roles at the base.

It is thought the specialist equipment used by the squadron, which was formed in 1943 to defuse German bombs in the Second World War, will be transferred to the Army.

The spokesman for Wittering said the move would not have any impact on public safety.

It has not been confirmed where there nearest bomb disposal team to Peterborough will be based.

The Peterborough Telegraph has contacted The Ministry of Defence for more information.