DIY bomb on car backseat

SYDNEY - A bomb found on the backseat of a car in Sydney's suburban northwest does not appear to be related to terrorism, police say.

Officers patrolling in Kellyville discovered the improvised explosive device after becoming suspicious of the car due to anomalies with its number plate. They stopped the car and found what was thought to be a homemade bomb, consisting of accelerants, a timer and wires.

"As a result, they cordoned off the area, called in our bomb squad, [and] made sure the device was rendered safe," said Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford.

The car's driver, a 46-year-old man from Lalor Park, was arrested.

Clifford ruled out any links with terrorism, saying police were investigating whether it was related to a domestic dispute.

"We are also keen to speak to this person about an incident at Normanhurst in March this year where a suspicious device was found on the steps of a premises," he said. "That leads me to believe that this may well be related to a domestic situation."

Clifford said the bomb was unsophisticated, but could have caused a lot of damage.

Police also searched the arrested man's home.

- AAP