Viable pipe bomb left outside house

A number of homes were evacuated and cordons were put in place during the alert

A viable pipe bomb has been found after a security alert in west Belfast, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has said.

Police received a report just before 23:25 BST on Friday that a device was left outside a residential property in Gardenmore Walk.

A number of homes were evacuated and cordons were put in place during the alert, which ended at 08:30 on Saturday.

Ammunition technical officers carried out a controlled explosion on the device and took the remnants away for examination.

Sgt Wilson said: "This was a distressing experience for those who live nearby, who had to deal with the discomfort and inconvenience of being put out of their homes."

Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker said those responsible had "no regard for the people of Twinbrook".

SDLP Paul Doherty said residents are 'shocked' and 'distressed'

Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Paul Doherty said it was "an absolute disgrace".

"I was speaking to people today who are shocked at this, I was speaking to people today who are very distressed," he told BBC News NI.

"No one wants this, people want to live in peace and I think those involved in this last night really need to look at themselves and wise up."