A security alert sparked by a suspicious package in the middle of Belfast was at a Government department building, it has been confirmed.
However, the incident, at College Street in the city , has now been declared a hoax.
There were reports earlier that a letter or package containing an unknown substance was delivered to the Department for Communities offices on the street.
College Street Belfast incident after suspect package reported to police
The police have still not commented on the nature of the package.
However, a DfC spokesperson said: “The Department can confirm that there was a security incident due to a suspicious package at its office on College Street. The police attended the building. The incident is now over and been declared a hoax.”
Earlier, police said they were “alerted to a suspect package at an address in College Street in Belfast this afternoon” and that it “is being currently examined and there are no further details at this time”.
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