Railway detonator found in old shed

An old railway detonator was taken to the Whakatane police after it was found in a shed by a member of the public. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

Police said a member of the public was tearing down an old shed when he found a small explosive that turned out to be an old railway detonator.

Unsure what to do with it, he took it to Whakatane police station last week and the New Zealand Defence Force Bomb Disposal Unit collected it for disposal.

Police said if an explosive or something that appears suspicious is found to:

1. Confirm the item is suspicious from a safe distance - do not touch or move the object.

2. Call police who will request support from the Bomb Disposal Unit.

3. Police will ask what it is, where is it, who found it and when? Why it is there and how did it get there?

4. Control the area until police arrive.

5. Do not use radios or mobile phones within 20 metres of the object.