Viable bomb found in Lisburn

Detectives investigating a bomb found in Lisburn city centre on Saturday are appealing for information about four vehicles that were in the area at the time.

The viable device was discovered in Market Place just before 2pm and the clearance operation to make it safe caused considerable disruption.

Police said at the time that it could have killed or injured anyone in the vicinity had it gone off.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Rowland, from Serious Crime Branch, said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing and as yet we have been unable to identify how this device was in Market Place but we believe the target was an individual rather than a location.

"I am appealing for information from people who were in the Market Place area on Saturday 30 July around 2pm to contact us. We are particularly interested in speaking with the drivers of the following vehicles who we know were in that area on Saturday:

• Grey coloured BMW X3 or X5
• Blue coloured Ford Focus
• Grey coloured Vauxhall Astra
• Silver coloured Suzuki jeep

"Police will continue to proactively police Lisburn to prevent such attacks and would encourage public support to help us keep our community safe," DCI Rowland added.

Detectives can be reached by calling 101 and asking for the Lisburn bomb enquiry team or, if people would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The intended target of a viable bomb found in Lisburn city centre on Saturday remains unknown, as investigations continue.

Police have already said that, if it had gone off, the device could have killed or seriously injured anyone in the vicinity.

Residents have also spoken of their shock over the incident, which happened in the heart of a busy shopping area, as UTV’s Sharon O’Neill reports.

A vehicle has been seized in the Lagmore area of west Belfast as police investigate whether a bomb fell from below it in Lisburn.

Police say they are following a number of lines of enquiry after Saturday’s security alert.

“Our investigation into the circumstances surrounding this security alert is at a very early stage,” PSNI Superintendent Brian Kee said.

“We are keen to hear from witnesses or anyone who was in the Market Place area of Lisburn yesterday and who may have information that could assist the investigation.

“Detectives can be reached by calling 101 quoting reference 686 30/07/16.”

A viable explosive device has been made safe in Lisburn and removed for further examination.

The security alert was sparked at about 2pm on Saturday and the area cordoned off for hours, leaving some motorists unable to return to their cars.

Market Square has since reopened to traffic and police are thanking the public for their cooperation.

Market place is Lisburn remains cordoned off following a security alert sparked by the discovery of a suspicious object.

Police and Army bomb experts have been attending the scene after the alarm was raised at about 2pm on Saturday.

Several hours later, some people who had cars parked in the area have still not been allowed to return.

Market Place has been closed to traffic between Smithfield Street and Chapel Hill and diversions remain in place.

A security alert is underway in Lisburn following the discovery of a suspicious object.

Market Place has been closed to traffic between Smithfield Street and Chapel Hill and diversions are in place.

There are no further details at this stage.

UUP deputy mayor Alexander Redpath told UTV the disruption was the last thing retailers in the city centre needed on a busy Saturday afternoon.

"We know very little about the cause of this alert at the moment,” he said.

“I know police are on the scene, but if it turns out that this is malicious and that this is deliberate to try to disrupt business in the town, then it’s a very difficult and unnecessary time for traders.”

He added: “This sort of thing never really happens in Lisburn and I’m very grateful to the police who have responded very quickly and who have set up an exclusion zone to properly identify this.

“But it’s very distressing for the people involved.

"This is incredibly unusual and Lisburn is a city that is set up for shopping and is ready to welcome people - it’s very unfortunate this has happened.”