A MAJOR security operation swung into place in west Belfast yesterday after a suspected weapon was discovered close to homes in the Lenadoon area.
A section of Lenadoon Avenue was closed during the alert and a PSNI helicopter circled overhead.
Ammunition technical officers later attended the scene and examined the weapon before it was taken away.
Police said last night it was believed to be an "airsoft-type weapon".
The gun was found in a green area close to homes and local sports facilities.
The scene is close to where Sean Fox was murdered earlier this month.
Mr Fox (42), whose funeral took place yesterday, was gunned down in the Donegal Celtic social club, which is off nearby Suffolk Road.
Around 100 people are believed to have been in club at the time.
CCTV footage released by the PSNI showed two masked and hooded men running from the scene in the direction of Suffolk Road, which is adjacent to the Lenadoon estate.
In a statement last night, police said they received a report from a member of the public shortly after 12.45pm that a suspected firearm had been discovered.
"The item found is believed to be an airsoft-type weapon.
“We would like to thank those who were directly impacted earlier today while police carried out this public safety operation in the area.”
