Firearms stolen, hand grenade

found at New England properties

EIGHT firearms have stolen from a gun safe at Glen Innes while geologists at another new England property unearthed an unexploded hand grenade from an old mine shaft.

Police say the gun safe at a Railway St, Glen Innes, premises was forced during a break-in and reported yesterday (Sunday) at about 9:30am.

The stolen firearms are a Chiappa 12-gauge shotgun, CZ .22 long rifle, Ruger .22 Hornet, Sako .22, Remington .243 Winchester, Sako .243 Winchester, Lithgow .303 and a Remington .308 Winchester.

Police from New England Local Area Command are investigating the

Meanwhile, an unexploded hand grenade was found while geologists were examining old mine shafts on a property at McCannas Rd, Tillbuster, 13km north of Armidale, on Saturday afternoon.

Police attended the scene and immediately secured the area.

Examination of the grenade by specialist Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit officers deemed it posed no immediate risk.

Arrangements were made for the device to be collected by army bomb disposal officers today (Monday).

Police investigations are continuing, however, there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.