Homemade bombs likely to be ‘pranks’

TWO  young men are being investigated over the manufacture and use of homemade explosive devices but police stress the men were pranksters and were not ­intent on causing harm.

police night logox

TWO  young men are being investigated over the manufacture and use of homemade explosive devices but police stress the men were pranksters and were not ­intent on causing harm.

In fact, the men could have could have severely burned their skin by using hydrochloric acid in an undiluted form.

Northern Beaches crime manager Inspector Craig Wonders said police ­received reports of loud ­explosions coming from the carpark at the Warringah Aquatic Centre at Frenchs Forest between 9 and 9.30pm on Saturday.

When police arrived at the carpark, they saw two men running away.

One was chased for about 500m before being caught while the other fled into nearby bushland but was also caught.

After obtaining the men’s details, they were released pending further investigation.

The officers found bottles of a liquid taped to a metal power pole.

A large amount of liquid was leaking and smoke and vapour was still present.

The liquid was eating into the metal pole and the officers found a 20-litre canister of hydrochloric acid nearby and other components ­believed to have been used to make explosive devices.

Firefighters decontaminated the scene.

Insp Wonders said the men, both in their early 20s, would be interviewed and urged anyone who was in the area or who heard ­explosions to call police.

He said police believed the homemade bombs were pranks and were not meant to harm anyone.