The NSW Police Force is today issuing an urgent reminder to the public that the Commercial Explosives Amnesty will finish tomorrow, Thursday, September 14.
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The amnesty started March 15 and was implemented to allow members of the public to legally and safely surrender explosives.
“I can’t emphasise this point enough - apart from being illegal, explosives can become more dangerous and unstable as they age,” Commander of the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch said.
“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.”
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.
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,”
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.”
Members of the public who have explosives should contact their local police who will obtain details.
“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,” Assistant Commissioner Murdoch said.
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
Members of the public who have possession of illegal explosives after midnight, Thursday, September 14 can face prosecution.
