UK's MOD Issues UXO Warning To Magnet Fishermen

London, United Kingdom In a recent interview, officials from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) warned the public "that if they inadvertently disturb what they believe to be live ordnance, they contact their local police force as a matter of urgency." The warning was issued due to the recent growth of magnet fishing (trawling for metal objects in the water) throughout the United Kingdom, fueled in part by social media.

As people post pictures of interesting items they have found while magnet fishing such as old knives, guns, and UXO, more and more people are taking up the hobby and upgrading the size and strengths of magnets used in the process. Reportedly, it was a strong magnet that pulled two men into the water causing them to drown. Others are lured into the hobby as way to make extra money by recycling scrap metal.

MOD has reported a significant increase in EOD calls related to UXO finds from the explosive (pardon the pun) growth of the magnet fishing hobby. Officials did remind the public that it is against the law to take items out of public canals.