Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 15 October 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 October 2018 (named day). It was answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 October 2018 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Army: Bomb Disposal

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions Army Bomb Disposal teams were called out between (a) 1 July 2014 and 1 July 2016 and (b) 1 July 2016 and 1 July 2018 as a result of (i) viable devices, (ii) hoax devices and (iii) hoax calls.

Answer

The information requested is given below:

Year	Callout	Improvised Explosive Device (IED)	Hoax devices
1 July 2014 – 30 June 2016	3,711	80	39
1 July 2016 – 30 June 2018	4,561	599	37

For the purpose of this question, callouts include legacy ordnance, incendiary devices, search assistance and other tasks.

IEDs are classed as viable devices.

The number of hoax calls is not held by the Department.

Secondary information