A loud bang woke up the residents of south Canberra early Thursday morning, but it wasn't just any noise. It was the sound of a homemade explosive being detonated at Holder Oval. The ACT Police received multiple reports of the blast around 5 a.m., and soon after, a member of the public discovered a suspicious item on the oval. The bomb squad was called in, and they found a 15-centimetre-long device, which has since been seized for forensic examination. Detective Inspector Donna Hoffmeier assured the public that this incident is being treated with the utmost seriousness, as leaving explosive devices in public spaces is not only dangerous but also illegal. The device is believed to be homemade, and the police are urging anyone with information to come forward. While the incident is not believed to be linked to the 15 explosive devices found near Lake Ginninderra in January, the police are still investigating the possibility of a connection between the two incidents. The police have also received multiple reports of explosive devices in the Duffy area between December 15 and January 15. The public is advised to be cautious and report any suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers. If you notice anything suspicious around Holder Oval, don't hesitate to call Crime Stoppers. Remember, if it looks suspicious, don't touch it. Leave it to the professionals and call the police. The community is safe, and the police are working diligently to ensure that it stays that way.
