Strabane: Mount Carmel Heights security alert now over

A cordon was in place at Mount Carmel Heights in Strabane on Friday night

A security alert that affected about 700 homes in Strabane, County Tyrone, is now over.

Mount Carmel Heights estate was cordoned off at about 21:00 BST on Friday after the discovery of a suspicious object.

The alert ended at about 02:30 BST on Saturday.

Police said ammunition technical officers examined an item and have declared it a hoax device. Residents are free to return home.

All roads in the area have reopened.

The SDLP councillor Jason Barr described the incident as "another disgraceful act".

SDLP assembly member Daniel McCrossan said the alert caused "massive disruption".

"This is an area where hundreds of families are living and the last thing they need after a long week is being unable to access their own homes due to an incident of this nature," he said.

Police thanked residents for their cooperation as officers conducted a public safety operation.

Mount Carmel Heights residents were previously affected by a two-day alert last November.

On that occasion, a police vehicle was targeted in a bomb attack.