Police in north Belfast responded to a security alert in the Canning Place area on Sunday morning, April 12. A suspected pipe bomb was found at the front of a residential property.

Residents were evacuated as part of the public safety operation. Local facilities were opened to accommodate those affected.

Ammunition Technical Officers attended the scene in the afternoon. They examined the item and declared it an elaborate hoax. The device was removed for forensic examination.

The cordon was lifted after the examination. Evacuated residents were allowed to return home.

Local policing Sergeant Kelly stated that police appreciate the patience of those displaced during the operation.

Enquiries continue. Police request information from anyone with details, quoting reference number 1486 11/04/26. Contact can be made via 101, the PSNI non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.