Police take deadly weapons off Bunbury streets

Knives are a dime a dozen at the Bunbury Police Station property office and do not even break into the top 10 for most outrageous items confiscated as weapons.

The most unusual weapons in the last financial year – according to property officer Sen. Const. Rick Lyon – were the ones that had been homemade or modified.

“One that particularly stands out is 16 homemade and altered weapons seized from a house earlier this year,” he said.

“They stood out because of the lethal nature of the weapons seized on that warrant.”

Modified weaponry Sen. Const. Lyon has seen includes baseball and cricket bats with nails stuck into them.

“Homemade weaponry still surprises me,” he said.

Each day, Sen. Const. Lyon is responsible for about 3000 items stored at the station and catalogues each new item that comes through.

“It’s like our underworld figures are arming themselves,” he said.

It is not unheard of for crossbows to be brought though the property office.

“We do get a crossbow in here every once in a while but they’re not that unusual,” Sen. Const. Lyon said.

Crossbows are sent to Perth to be destroyed – other weapons are crushed using heavy machinery.

The WA Police is holding a firearm amnesty where people can drop off firearms, parts or ammunition – not used in a crime – without being prosecuted.

People are encouraged to take their unloaded, unlicensed firearms into the police station covered up or they can call police on 9722 2111 to arrange a collection.