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Suspicious item ‘designed to do something’

Kate FieldingSouth Western Times
Bomb squad officers remove the suspicious item.
Camera IconBomb squad officers remove the suspicious item. Credit: Kate Fielding / South Western Times

A suspicious item which forced the closure of a section of Eaton Drive yesterday was “designed to do something”, according to police.

Bomb squad officers were deployed from Perth as local emergency services established a safety perimeter in the area the item was discovered near the Forrest Highway turn-off.

After hours of anticipation, the bomb squad carefully removed the item – which from a distance looked like a small tin can wrapped in tape – about 2.30pm before it was loaded into a police vehicle and taken away for examination.

Bomb squad officers approach the suspicious item.
Camera IconBomb squad officers approach the suspicious item. Credit: Kate Fielding / South Western Times

“There’s been a preliminary examination undertaken by bomb squad and it is now being conveyed to Perth where it will be deconstructed and it will be subject to a full forensic examination,” Australind Police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Mark Smith told the South Western Times.

“Clearly, the initial indications are that it was designed to do something, it had a lighting device on it.

“Whether it was designed to explode or smoke or do something, we just don’t know yet.

“We’ll know more once it’s deconstructed in a controlled environment.”

Emergency services at the Eaton intersection where a suspicious item was reported to police.
Camera IconEmergency services at the Eaton intersection where a suspicious item was reported to police. Credit: Kate Fielding / South Western Times

The item was reported to police by a member of the public who had pulled over to take a closer look and Sen. Sgt Smith said it was not known how long the item was there for.

He said he was “optimistic” that the test results would provide some lines of inquiry and warned that the manufacture of explosive devices was a serious offence.

Emergency services at the Eaton intersection where a suspicious item was reported to police.
Camera IconEmergency services at the Eaton intersection where a suspicious item was reported to police. Credit: Kate Fielding / South Western Times

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