22/02/2012

Security Alert Branded As Hoax

Police have declared a security alert in North Belfast as an elaborate hoax.

A controlled explosion had to be carried out on a device located on the Ballysillan Road after a telephone warning claimed that a suspect device had been attached to gates near Our Lady of Mercy Secondary school.

Police had to divert a number of school children away from the device, evacuate a small number of homes and close surrounding roads.

SDLP North Belfast Councillor Nichola Mallon said:"… The placing of this device is an act purely designed to disrupt and scare people in the school and the wider local community.

"The overwhelming majority of people have no desire to go back to the bad old days of bombscares so I would urge anyone with any information on the placing of this device to go to the PSNI immediately."

(LB)

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