A suspicious object which prompted a security alert in south Belfast yesterday was last night declared "non-viable".
A number of properties in the Botanic area were evacuated and a number of roads closed after an object was found in the Cromwell Road area at around 12.45pm.
Shortly before 5pm, police said the alert had ended after the device had been examined and declared "non-viable".
Inspector David White said: "We appreciate the disruption caused as a result of our security operation .....and I want to thank the public for their patience and co-operation while we worked to make the scene safe. Keeping people is our priority and we will not take any chances.
"I would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact us on the non emergency number 101...".
