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Homes evacuated in two separate security alerts

Lyndsey TelfordBBC News NI
News imagePacemaker Press A bomb disposal truck is parked along the side of the road. Other police vehicles are in the background and some uniformed officers can be seen on the street.Pacemaker Press

A number of homes have been evacuated in two separate security alerts.

Residents have been evacuated after police found "a number of suspicious devices" during a search operation in west Belfast on Friday morning.

A 35-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act, remains in police custody.

Meanwhile, homes in Dervock in Ballymoney have also been evacuated as police attend a separate security alert.

Officers are at a house in Edwina Street, off the Shankill Road, accompanied by Army Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO).

Earlier on Friday, police said they were searching two properties in the Shankill Road area as part of an investigation into suspected terrorism offences.

Police said on Friday evening that a safety cordon is in place and they have asked the public to avoid the area.

News imageA police car with its door open and blue lights on. It is in a street full of brick houses and a variety of cars. There is a police cordone further done the road with another police car in the distance.
A 35-year-old man was arrested for offences under the Terrorism Act

DUP councillor Ian McLaughlin said he was "shocked and saddened" by events in the area.

He said he understood what began as a "low level house search" had quickly escalated.

McLaughlin described it as an "unwanted and completely unwarranted incident" in what he said was a normally quiet community.

TUV councillor Ron McDowell said police should be "given the time and space to conclude their investigation".

News imageA road sign reading: 'GREYSTONE CRESCENT / LEADING TO / STRAHAM VIEW'. There is a blue and white police cordon in front of the sign.

The PSNI also confirmed a suspicious object was found in the Greystone Crescent area of Ballymoney, in County Antrim.

Police cordons were in place at the scene, while residents who were told to leave their homes gathered at a nearby Orange hall or went to family and friends.

News imageA man with dark hair and a grey beard. He is wearing a pair of glasses and a brown jumper.
Barry Thompson was among those whose house was evacuated

Barry Thompson, who was among those whose house was evacuated, told BBC News NI that Dervock was a quiet and tight-knit community and that people, including many elderly residents, had been left shocked and unsettled.

He said he believed as many as 40 homes were affected.

"They're worried, they're afraid. They're in a bit of shock too," he said.

"We're not used with this in Dervock. It's quite a quiet wee place, a very close-knit community.

"And it's been a bit of a shock to everybody. It's the first time I've ever seen anything like this in the village. And I've lived here all my life."