CANBERRA – Nearly a dozen pipe bombs – some already detonated – have been discovered on footpaths and in parks around Lake Ginninderra in Australia’s capital, prompting an urgent police investigation and public warnings not to touch the devices.
Detective Acting Inspector Anna Wronski of ACT Policing said officers were treating the matter “extremely seriously” after 11 silver, tube‑shaped devices were found over the past two days in Canberra‘s north‑west. Police said there were no reported injuries linked to the detonations.
Public warning and where the devices were found
Police said the devices were located along roughly a one‑kilometre stretch near Lake Ginninderra, between Joynton Smith Drive and Ginninderra Drive in the Belconnen district – a corridor of suburban paths and parkland used daily by commuters, schoolchildren and dog‑walkers. Images released by ACT Policing show capped metal pipes, some appearing intact and others partially destroyed.
“We do not want members of the public to pick them up. We do not want members of the public to bring them to police stations. We want them to call triple zero immediately,”
Wronski told reporters on Thursday. She added: “A number of the devices have been located intact, and a number have been located partially destroyed,” and stressed, “Any explosive is dangerous. That’s why we’re taking it so seriously. An explosive in a public place does raise a lot of concern for police.”
ACT Policing urged anyone who encounters a suspicious item to stay nearby at a safe distance and dial Triple Zero (000), Australia’s national emergency number; non‑urgent reports can be made on 131 444. Officers have increased patrols and are conducting methodical searches of paths and park edges around the lake to reassure residents and identify any additional devices.
International significance: urban security and public risk
Improvised explosive devices placed in open, high‑footfall areas pose outsized risks to passers‑by and first responders – a challenge faced by cities worldwide as they harden “everyday” spaces such as jogging routes, lakeside paths and neighbourhood parks. Canberra benefits from specialist capabilities embedded within the Australian Federal Police (AFP), of which ACT Policing is the community policing arm. The AFP deploys bomb response technicians, robots and forensic specialists to assess, render safe and investigate devices while minimising danger to the public, and works with territory authorities on critical‑infrastructure and public‑space protection planning.
What authorities know – and what they don’t
Wronski said police did not yet know who was responsible or how long the devices had been in place. At this stage, the incident is not being treated as terrorism, and officers do not believe anyone was injured when the explosives detonated. The first discovery was made by a member of the public, and investigators are now reviewing CCTV, canvassing residents and tracing the sourcing of materials used in the devices. Police have not publicly disclosed any suspected motive.
Safety and the law in the ACT
Explosives and security‑sensitive substances are tightly regulated in the Australian Capital Territory. Handling, transporting or bringing explosive material into the territory requires appropriate licensing or a handling authority under the Dangerous Substances Act 2004 and associated explosives regulations. Unauthorised manufacture or possession is an offence and can attract significant penalties, reflecting a policy focus on keeping precursor materials out of unlicensed hands.
For members of the public, the instruction is uncomplicated: do not touch suspected devices and call Triple Zero (000). The national Emergency Call Service recognises 000 as Australia’s primary emergency number; calls are free from any phone, including mobiles without credit. Authorities emphasise that even items that appear to have already detonated should be treated as live until examined by specialists.
How the response typically unfolds
When a suspected device is reported, police cordon the area and deploy specialist bomb response teams to assess and neutralise hazards, often using remote‑controlled robots and other stand‑off tools. These capabilities allow technicians to approach, x‑ray and safely disrupt devices while protecting officers and bystanders. Forensic teams then collect fragments and residue for laboratory analysis, which can inform both the criminal investigation and broader policy work on monitoring explosive precursors and improving public‑space design.
What we know so far
- As of the morning of Thursday, 15 January 2026, police had found 11 pipe bombs along a one‑kilometre area near Lake Ginninderra in Belconnen, Canberra’s north‑west.
- Some devices were intact; others were partially destroyed, with no injuries reported.
- Police released images showing capped, silver pipes and asked residents to avoid touching suspicious items and to call 000.
- The incident is not being treated as terrorism; the investigation is ongoing, with searches and community reassurance patrols continuing around the lake precinct.
As of 15 January 2026, ACT Policing said 11 devices had been located around Lake Ginninderra, the search of the area continued, and the incident was not being treated as terrorism.
