ACT Policing is calling for information after a homemade explosive was detonated in south Canberra.
Detective Inspector Donna Hofmeier said police received multiple reports of a loud explosion at Holder Oval about 5am on Thursday.
Just before 10am, a member of the public discovered a suspicious item on the oval.
Detective Inspector Hofmeier said the bomb team examined the item, which is about 15 centimetres long, and that it was seized by forensics for examination.
Members of the public who see any suspicious items should contact police immediately. (Supplied: ACT Policing)
“We believe it was homemade,” she said.
“There’s nothing funny about leaving explosive devices in public where they can hurt others.
“It may be a prank and it still could hurt someone at some stage.
“We’re treating this really seriously.”
Detective Inspector Hofmeier said police did not believe the explosive was linked to 15 explosive devices, including pipe bombs, which were discovered near Lake Ginninderra in January.
Forty-one-year-old Damien Paul O’Brien was arrested on January 17 in relation to those devices and has been in custody since.
He has pleaded not guilty to manufacturing the devices.
Detective Inspector Donna Hofmeier says there is no ongoing threat to the community. (ABC News: Harry Frost)
ACT Policing also received multiple reports of explosive devices located in the vicinity of Duffy between December 15 last year and January 15 this year.
Detective Inspector Hofmeier did not rule out a connection between the Duffy and Holder incidents.
“We’re certainly investigating those other devices that have been located,” she said.
Detective Inspector Hofmeier said there was no ongoing threat to the community and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
“If anyone noticed any suspicious activity around Holder Oval around that time or has information about that device, we are urging them to call Crime Stoppers,” she said.
She said there was “no evidence” of more explosives in the community but warned people to be cautious.
“If it looks suspicious, don’t touch it. Leave it, call us. Certainly don’t pick it up.”