News

Controlled explosion carried out in Ballynahinch

Police search the Carryduff area following reports of suspicious activity. Pictures by Mal McCann
Police search the Carryduff area following reports of suspicious activity. Pictures by Mal McCann Police search the Carryduff area following reports of suspicious activity. Pictures by Mal McCann

A SECURITYalert that caused the closure of a busy thoroughfare ended without anything being discovered, despite extensive searches of the area.

The Belfast Road at Carryduff was closed in both directions from the Carryduff roundabout to Ballyknocken Road, causing significant traffic disruption yesterday.

On Monday the PSNI had warned members of the public in Carryduff not to touch any suspicious objects in the area.

"This follows a report of suspicious activity in the area," it said.

Meanwhile, a controlled explosion was also carried out on a suspicious object in Ballynahinch.

Army bomb experts attended the alert at Hillcrest Lane following reports that an object had been discovered by a member of the public.

The remnants were removed for forensic examination.

Detective Inspector Denise Graham appealed for anyone who witnessed the object being left in Hillcrest Lane early yesterday or anyone with any information to contact detectives in Downpatrick.