Glenavy: Suspicious object in Main Street a 'viable pipe bomb'

A suspicious object which led to a security alert in Glenavy, County Antrim, was a "viable pipe bomb", police have said.

Several residents had to leave their homes when the object was discovered outside a property on Main Street at about 18:00 BST on Saturday.

Police and Army bomb experts examined the object before it was taken away for further forensic testing.

Main Street re-opened and residents were allowed to return at about 22:45.

"We are very fortunate that no-one was injured in this reckless attack," said Det Con Chris Simpson.

He appealed for anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area to contact police.

Alliance Party councillor David Honeyford thanked the Rev Linda Cronin from St Aidan's Parish Church who opened the church hall for residents during the alert.

"Whoever left this pipe bomb in Glenavy clearly cared nothing about the local community," he said.

"A number of people, including children, walked past this viable explosive device, which could have gone off with devastating consequences."