Senior Bomb Disposal Officer Alick McWhirter of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau was concerned that there were individuals making or in possession of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) in Hong Kong. He warned that TATP is a highly dangerous homemade explosive that can cause serious injuries.

Mr McWhirter said, "TATP is an explosive that has been used by many criminals. When you can easily access or get hold of other types of high explosives and raw materials, you can make TATP. Given the sensitivity of this explosive, it does not require a circuit to detonate. It responds to impact, friction and heat. Just one gram of TATP can cause life-changing injuries."

In a demonstration for the media, the EOD Bureau carried out controlled explosions in its depot to show the potentially destructive force of homemade explosives. One gram of explosives equivalent to TATP, which is about the size of a candy, blew up a watermelon into pieces. Fifty grams of explosives, which would fit into a cigarette packet, shattered windows of a van and blasted a hole in its roof.

In November, police arrested two secondary students for possession of TATP. Earlier in July, police seized over one kilogram of TATP during a raid. According to Section 54 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200), it is illegal to make or have in possession an explosive substance, or attempt to cause an explosion. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment upon conviction.

Readers may watch the demonstration via the following link (https://www.facebook.com/HongKongPoliceForce/posts/2812018172219462).