16/05/2011

Belfast Children Pick Up Deadly Bomb

Two NI politicians have joined condemnations from the PSNI after a pipe bomb-type device found by children sparked a security alert in north Belfast.

A local man who recognised the danger said last night that after he first removed the item from the children and placed it in an alleyway to telephone the police, the children moved it again.

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said: "For a child to discover a pipe bomb in the same part of Belfast now is a very worrying sign.

"It is clear that there is a hard-core element of criminals who want to drag our community backwards into the bloodshed and mayhem of the past."

Alliance North Belfast councillor Billy Webb said people in the area are "outraged".

"This is the act of callous individuals who have no thoughts for the consequences of their actions.

"People in the area are outraged that lives have been put at risk by these sick individuals," he said.

"I would urge anybody with any information about this pipe bomb to contact the police. These people must be stopped and put in prison."

A number of homes were evacuated after the pipe bomb was discovered at Hartwell Place on Saturday.

The army examined the pipe bomb and made it safe. Police said it "was capable of causing death or serious injury".

PSNI Chief Inspector Ian Campbell condemned those behind the attack.

He urged people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious object to police.

"Those responsible have no qualms about putting local people's lives at risk and causing chaos and disruption to the community," he said.

"There is no doubt that this device had the potential to cause serious injury or death.

"Obviously people are getting fed up with this. The people involved in these incidents clearly have a blatant disregard for kids and are prepared to risk the lives of local kids to attack my officers."

(BMcC/GK)

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