Viable device found during security alert

A security alert in west Belfast has now ended after police removed what they described as a viable device from a property.

Officers attended the scene in Suffolk Road on Tuesday evening following a report of a suspicious object.

Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) examined the object and confirmed it was a viable device, which has since been taken away for further forensic examination.

A number of local residents who had been evacuated have now been allowed to return to their homes, the police said.

"We thank them for their patience while this safety operation was carried out," Insp McAnallen said in a statement on Wednesday.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

SDLP Paul Doherty said there was "zero concern" shown for local residents

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor Paul Doherty said the discovery of the device is "deeply concerning".

"Had this device gone off we could have seen homes destroyed and people seriously injured or worse," he said.

"The people responsible showed zero concern for people living in this area."

At the scene: Customers and commuters return

A section of the road had been closed off but has since reopened

Gráinne Connolly, BBC News NI reporter, in west Belfast

Normality has returned to Suffolk Road following a security alert overnight.

The road was partially cordoned off last night near several businesses, including a crèche, as well as many homes.

Some residents were told they had to leave their homes in the early hours of this morning, but were later allowed to return between 06:00 and 07:00 GMT.

Those I spoke to in a nearby shop said they had heard that people had been evacuated overnight and "thought it was a bomb scare."

This morning, the road was busy with commuters, and customers coming and going from the crèche and shops as usual.