SPECIALIST police, including officers from Strike Force Raptor, are investigating a bomb threat to a tattoo parlour at Dee Why owned by the Finks motorcycle gang.

Sturdee Pde was blocked for several hours while police bomb disposal unit officers examined the package and later removed it for forensic examination.

It is not yet known if the suspected bomb was genuine or an elaborate hoax.

Northern Beaches duty officer Insp Sam Bartlett said workers at the tattoo parlour in Sturdee Rd opened a small padded enveloped that was in the parlour’s letterbox and saw wires and a battery.

They immediately called the police, who alerted firefighters, paramedics and the police bomb squad.

He said businesses and homes within a 100m radius were evacuated while the bomb squad examined the package.

“An investigation into the package was conducted by the bomb disposal unit and it was rendered safe,” Insp Bartlett said.

“The package has been retained for forensic investigation.

“The bomb disposal unit is still investigating if it was genuine or an elaborate hoax.”

He said the police had not received any previous reports of trouble relating to the parlour.

Strike Force Raptor was established by the State Crime Command’s gangs squad to target outlaw motorcycle gangs.