Police in Canberra have discovered 11 explosive devices near footpaths in the city’s north-west over the past two days, prompting an alert to the public. Authorities are urging residents to immediately contact Triple Zero (000) if they encounter any suspicious items and not to touch them.
Pipe Bombs Found in Public Areas
An alert was issued on Wednesday after several pipe bombs were found in public areas around Lake Ginninderra between Joynton Smith Drive and Ginninderra Drive in Belconnen. ACT Policing’s Detective Acting Inspector Anna Wronski told ABC Radio Canberra that anyone who finds a suspicious item should not touch it and should contact Triple Zero immediately.
“Any explosive is dangerous, thankfully there haven’t been any reported injuries but we are concerned these devices have been left in public where anyone could step on them and pick them up,” Wronski said. “We are treating this very seriously and investigations are ongoing.”
Authorities are asking the community to immediately call police on Triple Zero if they come across any suspicious items.
Some Explosives Were Detonated
Wronski said there were no concerns for people to avoid the area, but reiterated advice to contact police if a member of the public found something resembling one of the devices. “Some of the devices that have been located have been detonated prior to police locating them and some have not yet detonated,” she said.
“We do not want members of the public to pick them up, we do not want them to bring them to police stations. We are not aware of anyone sustaining injuries from a detonation of one of these devices. However, they are explosives and so for anyone who locates them, don’t touch the item and to call police immediately.”
She said it would be “inappropriate” to comment on why the devices were being left in public spaces, but said the situation was not being treated as an act of terrorism. No property has been damaged by the devices.
Police said there was no indication the devices had been found in other parts of Canberra. They released images showing silver pipe-shaped objects lying on the ground outdoors, with screw tops and a size that allows them to fit in a person’s hand.
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