A “homemade” explosive device about 15 centimetres in length was recovered from Holder Oval, police say. Photos: ACT Policing.
Police say there is no ongoing threat after another bomb was found on Canberra’s streets.
An ACT Policing spokesperson previously said that at about 5 am yesterday (12 February), multiple members of the public reported an explosion from the direction of the Holder Oval.
Later that morning, at about 9:45 am, a member of the public discovered what was described as a “suspicious item” in the oval.
Specialist officers arrived at the scene and inspected it, ultimately determining it wasn’t dangerous, while forensic specialists seized the item for further investigation.
On Friday (13 February), Detective Inspector Donna Hoffmeier said the detonation occurred “in the middle” of the oval.
It had left no “significant damage” to the sports field.
She also confirmed that only one device was found at the scene, being about 15 centimetres in length, which she described as a “homemade explosive”.
Detective Inspector Hoffmeier pushed back on a suggestion that the incident could be terrorism related.
“We have no evidence to suggest that in any way.”
She also said police were not ruling out other motivations as part of their ongoing investigation.
“It could be a number of things.
“If it is a prank, it’s not a very, very clever prank, is it? [It] could hurt someone seriously.”
People are urged to contact police immediately if they think they find a bomb. Photos: ACT Policing.
Detective Inspector Hoffmeier said police believe it to be unrelated to the 15 pipe bombs found in the area around Lake Ginninderra between Joynton Smith Drive and Ginninderra Drive earlier this year.
“We do not believe there is any link [to those].
“The gentleman who was arrested in regard to that matter was arrested on 17 January, and he’s been remanded in custody ever since.”
Belconnen man Damien Paul O’Brien, 41, was charged in relation to that incident in January.
Earlier this month, he pleaded not guilty to his main charge, which is the unauthorised manufacture of a prohibited dangerous substance. His matter remains before the courts.
She also said police were not ruling out a connection to other devices that were found in Duffy.
Detective Inspector Hoffmeier said there was “no evidence” to suggest that further bombs were in the community and that there is no ongoing threat.
She urged people to be “alert but not alarmed” and, if they find another device, to keep their distance.
“There’s obviously the risk of someone being hurt … We would urge anyone if they see something like this to call us straight away.
“Do not pick it up, do not bring it into a police station … [Rather] call us and we will attend.”
Police have asked anyone who noticed suspicious activity near Holder Oval around 5 am yesterday, or who has information about this device, to contact Crime Stoppers ACT. Quote 8301573. Information can be provided anonymously.
Mybe when he puts some detail on his 'vision' we can drop the quotes.... View