A live hand grenade found on an empty Hastings section yesterday has led to the discovery of an improvised explosive device.
The Defence Force bomb disposal squad was called in yesterday after a live hand grenade was handed in to the Hasting Police Station late morning. The station and surrounding buildings were evacuated until the grenade was examined and taken away from the scene.
Detective Sergeant Brent Greville said an improvised explosive device (IED) was also found yesterday during the search. It was about 15-20cm long and had no detonator.
"This device would not have blown up on its own, but nevertheless we have taken every precaution with it as it had been constructed to explode. Both this and the hand grenade have been sent away for forensic testing," Mr Greville said.
There was nothing to indicate where the two items originated from or who had placed them on the vacant section.