Old emergency beacon leads Tas cops to tip

Police in Tasmania are urging people to dispose of old emergency beacons properly after a faulty device led officers on a wild goose chase to a rubbish tip.

The device was eventually found buried under garbage in Launceston following a several-hour search on Thursday night.

"False alarms like this cost thousands of dollars and divert police resources away from those in actual need," police said in a statement.

Old emergency beacons, also known as EPIRBs, can be handed in to volunteer marine rescue groups across the state or a battery shop in Hobart.

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