Police in Canberra have confirmed that 11 explosive devices have been located next to footpaths in the city’s north-west over the past two days.
An alert was issued on Wednesday after several pipe bombs were discovered in public areas around Lake Ginninderra, between Joynton Smith Drive and Ginninderra Drive in Belconnen.
Officers said the devices were found over the past two days.
ACT Policing Detective Acting Inspector Anna Wronski told ABC Radio Canberra that anyone who comes across a suspicious item should not touch it and should contact emergency services 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,” she said.
“We are treating this very seriously and investigations are ongoing.
“What we’re actually asking the community to do, is if they come across any of these suspicious items, to immediately call police on Triple Zero.”
Detective Acting Inspector Wronski said some of the devices had already detonated before police arrived, while others had not.
“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.”
Police said there was no need for people to avoid the area, but reiterated the importance of reporting any suspicious objects.
Detective Acting Inspector Wronski said it would be “inappropriate” to comment on why the devices had been left in public spaces, but confirmed the matter was not being treated as an act of terrorism.
No property damage has been reported and police said there was no indication that similar devices had been found elsewhere in Canberra.
Images released by police show silver, pipe-shaped objects with screw tops, small enough to fit in a person’s hand, lying on the ground outdoors.
Images: ACT Policing
