The NSW Police Force is today issuing an urgent reminder to the public that the Commercial Explosives Amnesty will finish tomorrow, Thursday 14 September, NSW Police say.
The amnesty commenced on 15 March 2017 and was implemented to allow members of the public to legally and safely surrender explosives.
Commander of the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch said it was pleasing to see members of the public readily calling their local police and letting them know of explosives they have on their property.
"I can’t emphasise this point enough - apart from being illegal, explosives can become more dangerous and unstable as they age."
"They’re dangerous for the resident of the property and for the police or emergency service officers who get called."
"While we’re pleased that members of the public are taking the opportunity of the amnesty to hand in illegal and dangerous explosives, we know there’s more out there," Assistant Commissioner Murdoch said.
More than three kilometres of detonation cord and safety fuse, and almost 170 kilograms of commercial explosives and black powder have been surrendered and safely destroyed as a result of the Commercial Explosives Amnesty.
A resident of a property at Barraba handed in 38 sticks of Powergel, while another at Roto, near Ivanhoe in the west of the state, surrendered 20kg of Powergel.
Officers from the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit attended a property at Grenfell where the collected 20kg of ANFO and 20kg of Ammonium Nitrate.
"Imagine the damage or loss of life those types of explosives would have caused if they accidently ignited," Assistant Commissioner Murdoch added.
Some of the reasons given by people who had contacted police and surrendered explosives were they had moved them into town from their previous rural location but no longer has a use for them, or they were previously licenced but had allowed their licence to expire, so wished to surrender remaining explosives.
"If you know of anyone, whether they are neighbours, family or friends who might have illegal explosives, please tell them to take the opportunity of the Commercial Explosives Amnesty and get rid of any of these materials safely and legally."
Assistant Commissioner Murdoch said the amnesty is not the result of any specific threat.
Below is a breakdown of the types of explosives surrendered to date:
Commercial Explosives – Excess of 146kg
Black Powder – Excess of 20kg
Detonators – Excess of 4798
Safety Fuse – Excess of 985 metres
Detonating Cord – Excess of 2130 metres
Members of the public who have explosives should contact their local police who will obtain details.
"As long as members of the public contact their local police before midnight on Thursday 14 September they will be covered by the amnesty."
"Under no circumstances do we want members of the public moving explosives, or taking them to a police station. The Amnesty does not authorise the transportation of explosives and it is an offence to do so."
The types of explosives covered by the amnesty include:
- Black powder
- Nitro-glycerine based explosives
- Watergel and Emulsion explosives
- Detonating cord
- Detonators
- Other commercial explosive items
Remember, the Commercial Explosives Amnesty will cease at midnight on Thursday 14 September, and members of the public who have possession of illegal explosives after that time can face prosecution.
Please contact your local police for further information, or watch the Youtube video at www.police.nsw.gov.au
