More pipe bombs have been found, detonated and undetonated, in north Canberra after police searches.
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ACT police confirmed on Friday morning that four more pipe bombs had been located in a one kilometre stretch near Lake Ginninderra, between Joynton Smith Drive and Ginninderra Drive.
A total of 15 pipe bombs have now been found.
"ACT Policing has located and seized a further four pipe bombs yesterday [Thursday, January 15] in the Belconnen area that are believed to be linked the previously found devices, bringing the total number to 15," a spokeswoman said.
Officers cleared the area between Ginninderra Drive and Joynton Smith Drive and will continue to respond to reports of suspected explosive devices as required, the spokeswoman said.
Police have halted searches for further pipe bombs in Belconnen.
While police received multiple reports from the public, all four pipe bombs were discovered by officers searching the area.
In an update on Friday, January 16, police said they had destroyed two more explosives reported in south Canberra the previous day that are not believed to be linked to the devices found in Belconnen.
On Thursday, detectives and forensic officers were seen searching areas along Joynton Smith Drive. There were about eight police vehicles and a sniffer dog at the scene.
Police members appeared to measure certain spots on the ground and bag evidence.
ACT Policing received the first report about a pipe bomb on Tuesday, January 13, followed by several reports on Wednesday.
Bomb squads responded to reports on both days and destroyed the weapons.
Detective acting Inspector Anna Wronski on Thursday said some of the pipe bombs had been found partially destroyed, and were believed to have already exploded.
"Some of the items that have been located have been detonated prior to police locating them, and some have not yet detonated," she said.
Asked about where the bombs were coming from, acting Inspector Wronksi said officers were still investigating.
"We're taking the matter very seriously, at the moment it is a current investigation so I can't really comment on the status of that at the moment," she said.
"An explosive in a public place does raise a lot of concern for police."
Acting Inspector Wronksi said police had been contacted by several members of the public who located the bombs, and police had located further devices while searching the area.
Officers were not aware of anyone sustaining injuries from a detonation of one of the devices, nor any property damage from the bombs, she said. The police detective was unable to say how some of the bombs had detonated.
The pipe bombs were described as a "metallic cylindrical object". The discovered bombs had not been declared a terrorist incident.
"Absolutely it is an explosive, so we do not want members of the public to pick them up," acting Inspector Wronksi said.
"We do not want members of the public to bring them to police stations, we want them to call 000 immediately."
IN OTHER CRIME AND COURT NEWS:
An ACT Policing spokeswoman urged people to report any suspicious items that match the description of a pipe bomb to police.
"ACT Policing is urging anyone who locates a suspicious item within the area not to touch it and immediately contact police on triple zero (000)," the spokeswoman said.
"Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour is urged to contact police on 131 444."
Bageshri Savyasachi
Bageshri Savyasachi is the Police Reporter for The Canberra Times. She reports on crime, justice, and public safety in the nation's capital. Bageshri values community voices from the frontlines of breaking news, to the experiences of people behind the scenes. Reach out at bageshri.s@canberratimes.com.au or send secure tips to bageshri.s@proton.me
Lucy Arundell
Lucy is an ACT Legislative Assembly reporter for The Canberra Times. She previously worked as the city reporter. Got a tip? Email her at lucy.arundell@canberratimes.com.au.
