Security alert ends after a number of residents evacuated

Two male police officers standing at a blue and white police tape. Their faces are blurred and they are wearing a bottle green police uniform with a black bullet proof vest. There is an ATO machine which is a brown colour with black wheels.Pacemaker

A security alert in west Belfast has ended.

A number of people were evacuated during the alert in Glenalina Gardens area of Belfast on Wednesday after the discovery of a "suspicious object".

Police said Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO), examined the object and it has been declared as a viable device.

The object has been taken away for further forensic examination.

A police officer walking beside blue and white police tape with a dog on a lead. He is wearing a bottle green uniform with a black vest. There is a white van with a yellow stripe up the side beside the tape.Pacemaker

The police thanked locals who had been evacuated from the area during the security alert for their "patience".

Sinn Féin councillor for Black Mountain, Róis-Máire Donnelly, had said the security alert caused "serious disruption".

"With children off school for the Halloween break, this has been particularly disruptive for families who've had to leave their homes at short notice," she added.

She thanked staff at the Whiterock Community Centre for opening their doors for those who had to leave their homes.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

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