LOCAL police have arrested and charged a Loxton man after information from the public led them to the location of explosive devices and materials.
After conducting a search of the 32-year-old’s property on Wodonga Avenue in Loxton and property on Battams Road in Moorook on Thursday, April 30, Murray Mallee police found three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), along with a number of explosive substances and other equipment such as wiring, fuses, cylindrical pipe-bomb bodies and detonators.
Murray Mallee Superintendent James Blandford said the police are reliant on information from the public to catch criminals and eliminate crime within the community.
“We can’t be everywhere, and quite honestly, we don’t want to be everywhere because we live in a free and democratic country,” he said.
“So the whole thing about policing is about joint partnership between the community and their consent to us, the police, to actually keep them safe.
“We rely on that two-way flow of information and the community actually holding the appropriate standard and telling us about the activities that are illegal and the individuals that damage our community and put our safety at risk.”
Mr Blandford said you only had to look at the success of Crime Stoppers to see how important community information is to SAPOL’s service.
“When you clear up crime, you create a sense of caution and consequence of action by criminals – they think they’re going to get caught, so that stops a lot of people from committing crime,” he said.
“If people have information about a crime that has occurred or any information about ongoing activity they are uncomfortable with, they should call Crime Stoppers.”
The Loxton resident was charged with taking steps in the manufacture of an explosive and two counts of possessing an explosive substance without lawful excuse, and will appear in Berri Magistrates Court next month.
Anyone with information that may further assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at (www.crimestopperssa.com.au).
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