Following a spate of suspicious packages incidents recently, Hamilton Police want to reassure the public that the Hamilton CBD incidents are not connected to two Bomb Disposal Unit call outs in the last two days.
Detective Sergeant Matthew Cranshaw, Hamilton CIB, said that the incidents at the IRD building in the Hamilton CBD almost three weeks ago and at the ANZ Bank in Ward St last week weren’t linked to the two incidents at Gower Park on Monday and Tuesday.
“At IRD the item found was a suitcase, containing paperwork, which was accidentally left by someone who had visited the building earlier in the day. Last week at the ANZ, the item located was something left behind after a failed attempt by someone to gain access to the fast deposit boxes. It had a cord attached and as it was out of place, it was rightly treated as suspicious and Police were contacted.”
However, the items found at Gower Park toilet block over the last two days were designed to look like explosive devices that could be detonated. Monday’s item was a piece of pipe with some wire sticking out of it and the item yesterday was somewhat more elaborate, in that there was an as yet undermined liquid incorporated.
Due to the unknown nature of the liquid it was treated at the scene as being flammable and dealt with accordingly just as a precaution.
A note was found in the toilet block during Tuesday’s incident that made reference to the day before and due to the similar location of the items, Police believe the two incidents are connected.
“The actions taken by the members of the public who located these items over the past few weeks were absolutely the right thing to do. If anyone finds an item that they don’t know the contents of and it shouldn’t be there, evacuating the area and calling Police is what they must do. It is better for Police to make an assessment of how to deal with the item.” said Mr Cranshaw.
A police investigation is underway to identify the person responsible for the items at Gower Park and once located they will be dealt with accordingly, including appropriate charges.
“Police take all incidents involving suspicious items seriously and as such we divert a significant number of resources into ensuring the public are kept safe, while we resolve the matter.”
Even though the items at Gower Park were found to be a hoax, the public are reminded to be vigilant if they come across any suspicious items and immediately report them to Police.
Anyone with information or who has seen anyone acting suspicious around the Gower Park area over the last few days is asked to call Hamilton Police on 07 858 6200 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.