WATCH: "Oh dear" - laughter from bemused onlookers as bomb disposal robot falls down steps and gets stuck as it bids to disarm "suspicious" item in Portsmouth

Portsmouth city centre was thrown into lockdown on Sunday as a suspected bomb was discovered at the railway station.
By Steve Deeks
Published 17th Jul 2023, 11:18 GMT
Updated 17th Jul 2023, 11:18 GMT
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The suspicious item was found at 7.40am at Portsmouth and Southsea railway station resulting in an urgent response from emergency crews as the transport hub was closed down along with businesses around the Guildhall area and a cordon set up.

READ NOW: Police swarm city over suspected bomb

British Transport Police announced specialists units were deployed to investigate the area. "The station is closed and cordons are in place to allow specialist officers to assess the item,” the force said.

The bomb disposal robot being used on July 16. Picture: Sam Stephenson.The bomb disposal robot being used on July 16. Picture: Sam Stephenson.
The bomb disposal robot being used on July 16. Picture: Sam Stephenson.
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As part of the specialist deployment to deal with the potential life and death situation, a bomb disposal robot was called in to disarm the potential bomb. However, in the midst of the crisis all did not go to plan for the hapless robot.

Despite the high tech piece of machinery having the ability to nullify a bomb, navigating down a short row of steps was beyond the expertise of the robot. A video captured showed the robot fall down the steps as it went to investigate the suspicious item.

And to further compound its misery in front of members of the public who had gathered to watch from behind a cordon, it then got stuck with its front embedded into the pavement with its wheels stuck the air.

Two officers then dash over to get the robot upright again but struggle due to its size and weight. After some effort, the robot is restored back onto its wheels with people heard mockingly clapping. Following the fall down the steps, one person seemingly summed up the mood by saying: “Oh dear.”

A heavy police presence was maintained throughout. Picture: Sam Stephenson.A heavy police presence was maintained throughout. Picture: Sam Stephenson.
A heavy police presence was maintained throughout. Picture: Sam Stephenson.
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The item was later confirmed as non suspicious before the cordons were lifted 4.30pm.

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