Belfast security alert that saw homes evacuated and road closed declared hoax

A security alert in West Belfast that saw homes evacuated and a road closed has been declared "a hoax" by police.

The PSNI said they received a report of a suspicious object in the Springfield Avenue just after 9.20am.

Springfield Road was closed and diversions put in place.

A PSNI spokesperson said this morning: "Police are in attendance at a security alert in West Belfast following the report of a suspicious object in the Springfield Avenue area, shortly after 9:20am this morning (15th June).

"Springfield Avenue has been closed. A number of homes have been evacuated.

"Police are on scene, and diversions are in place. There are no further details at this time."

ATO were called in to examine the suspicious object and have taken it away for examination.

A police spokesperson added this afternoon: "A security alert in the Springfield Avenue area of West Belfast has ended. Police and ATO attended.

"A suspicious object was examined and has been declared a hoax, and has been taken away for further examination.

"Springfield Avenue has re-opened and residents who were evacuated have been allowed to return home. "

Inspector David McBride said: "We thank the public for their patience and would appeal to anyone with information about this incident to call us on 101, and quote reference number 451 of 15/06/20.

"You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/."