Shock voiced over bomb attack on home where young children were present
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Detectives are investigating a pipe bomb attack at a house in north Belfast in the early hours of Friday, 16th October.
Detective Sergeant Stevenson said: “We received a report that a pipe bomb had been pushed through a letter box at the home in the Stanhope Street area at around 3am.
“It exploded fully, causing damage to the door and throughout the hallway.
“A number of residents had to be evacuated from their homes for a time this morning, while Ammunition Technical Officers examined the remnants of the device.
“We understand the disruption caused as this public safety operation was carried out, and thank the local community for their patience. All cordons have now been lifted and residents returned to their properties.”
Detective Sergeant Stevenson continued: “Our community has rightly condemned this shocking incident. A mother and her children were inside the house at the time of the attack and we are thankful that they escaped injury, though they are obviously very shaken by their ordeal.
“Our enquiries are ongoing and we are keen to hear from anyone who noticed suspicious behaviour in the area around the time of the explosion.
“Please call us on 101, quoting reference number 141 16/10/26, if you have any information - including CCTV, dash-cam or other footage of the area that could help with our investigation.”
Alternatively, a report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Alliance response to pipe bomb attack against a property in North Belfast in early hours of this morning (16 Oct).
Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister has said: “This was a downright shocking and senseless attack, and my thoughts are with Nicola Nugent and her family.
“Whilst we can only be thankful that nobody was hurt, there were young children in the property at the time and we could very easily have been looking at a much more tragic outcome as a result of the reckless behaviour of whoever’s responsible.
“There’s no place in our community for this kind of violence against anybody. I’d encourage anyone who has any information that could help the police in bringing those responsible to justice, to please get in contact with them or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers.”
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