Crime & Law

Security alert ends in Holywood, Co Down after suspicious device thrown at house

Firefighters extinguished a blaze shortly after the incident just after midnight in the early hours of Wednesday

epa07261133 (FILE) - Northern Ireland's PSNI crest outside Antrim police station in Antrim, Northern Ireland, 02 May 2014 (reissued 04 January 2019). British media reports on 04 January 2019 state Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI has asked up to 1,000 officers to be deployed in Northern Ireland as a reinforcement in case of a no-deal Brexit. Authorities fear violence could occur if a hard border will be established between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland. EPA/PAUL MCERLANE

A police cordon remained in place on Wednesday morning. Photograph: EPA/Paul McErlane

Freya McClements
Wed Dec 27 2023 - 12:20

A security alert which began after a suspicious device was thrown at a house in Co Down and caused a small fire has ended.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and police were called to the property in the Firmount Crescent area of Holywood at about 12.10am on Wednesday and extinguished the fire.

A police cordon was lifted on Wednesday afternoon, and the Old Holywood Road reopened.

Police said a number of items were taken away for further inspection and they remained in the area to conduct enquiries.

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PSNI Inspector Rocks said there were no reports of any injuries or damage.

He said “three people were seen leaving the area on foot in the direction of Holywood along Old Holywood Road” at the time of the incident and appealed to anyone with information, or who saw anything suspicious in the area around midnight to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 21 of December 27th 2023.

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Freya McClements

Freya McClements

Freya McClements is Northern Editor of The Irish Times

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