Police officer bitten on leg during Portrush 'elaborate hoax' security alert

A security alert which led to a number of homes being evacuated in Portrush has been declared an elaborate hoax.

A suspicious object was reported outside a property shortly before 7.10pm on Wednesday.

Police attended the scene and the object was discovered to be a hoax, and was taken away for further forensic examinations.

Residents evacuated from their homes have now been allowed to return.

Police said it was reported that an officer was assaulted during the incident. He was taken to hospital after being bitten on the left leg.

A 62-year-old man has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm following the policing operation.The man is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Monday March 6th.

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