The police discovery of 16 semi-automatic handguns and over 800 rounds of ammunition in Belfast has "thwarted the attempts of criminals to inflict death", the PSNI said today.
Police in the North have begun an investigation into the discovery of a large number of weapons and munitions in the Castlereagh area yesterday.
“The recovery of these weapons has undoubtedly thwarted the attempts of criminals to inflict death, injury and misery on the community,” Detective Superintendent Glen Wright from PSNI serious crime branch said.
The weapons and munitions are to be taken away for further forensic examinations.
“Police are determined to work to protect communities from these threats and I would appeal to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area of Glen Cregagh Road at the junction with Manse Road, known locally as Cregagh Glen, Castlereagh to contact them,” Detective Wright said.
Belfast DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt said it was “shocking” that guns had been found in the area “which is generally regarded as peaceful” and was near an area where people walked on a daily basis.
“It is a very worrying development that these arms have been found there. I would urge anyone who noticed any suspicious activity or has any information to pass it on to the PSNI immediately,” he said in a statement.