Call police before disposing of dangerous items

ACT Policing is reminding the community to contact police if they wish to surrender or dispose of dangerous items such as firearms or explosives.  

This warning comes after Belconnen Police Station and the attached public car park were placed into lockdown on Wednesday, 19 July 2023 after a man attended the police station to hand in a grenade.  

The man attended Belconnen Police Station about 10am, with the AFP Bomb Response Team attending a short time later to render the grenade safe. The lockdown on the station and carpark was lifted at approximately 11am.  

People wishing to dispose of or surrender items, including firearms, explosive devices, and other prohibited weapons, are urged to contact ACT Policing Operations in the first instance on 131 444 for advice.  

If people are unsure about the status of a firearm or other dangerous item - not sure if it is loaded, actioned, or safe - they should leave it in place and contact police. 

Advice could include making an appointment to attend a police station or the ACT Firearms Registry to surrender items, or for ACT Policing/AFP members to attend a location to dispose of an item safely.      

It is not recommended to attend a police station with such items without making prior contact.  

Information on the National Firearms Amnesty and the ACT Firearms Registry can be found on the ACT Policing website.  

Anyone with information regarding dangerous weapons or explosives in the community is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or on the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.   

MEDIA ENQUIRIES  

POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au