Explosive devices, Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Police have expressed concerns it may only be a matter of time before someone is seriously injured following a recent spate of incidents involving explosive type devices being placed in residential letterboxes and detonating.
Over the past month officers have been called to a number of incidents in the Maroochydore, Kawana Waters and Caloundra areas where approximately a dozen letterboxes have been destroyed by crudely constructed explosive devices, comprising of empty drink cans, sparklers and soda bulbs.
On September 28, a 60-year-old female resident of Little Mountain alerted police late in the evening after one of the devices was detonated inside her brick letterbox.
The resulting explosion was so intense it blew the metal front and rear faces of the unit four metres away, destroying the brick and spreading shrapnel through the yard.
In another incident at Mountain Creek a device exploded at the front door of someone’s home.
Acting Inspector Mark Cordwell said juveniles are mostly believed to be involved, with the recent increase in offences falling within school holidays.
“When detonated, these devices pose a significant risk to both the person who has made it and anyone who happens to be nearby,” Acting Inspector Cordwell said.
“They also cause major damage to property and have a high risk of starting fires,” he said.
“I would hate for a resident to sustain serious injuries after innocently investigating a disturbance outside their home and one of these devices were to detonate.”
Sunshine Coast residents are being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Quote this reference number: QI1901868886.
