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Viable device found in Newtownabbey

BBC The street has been closed off by blue and white police tape. There are cars parked alongside the street with white road markings up the middle, there is green grass along the side and street lights.BBC
The device was located in Rathmore Drive in Newtownabbey's Rathcoole estate

Police say a viable device has been found during a security alert in Newtownabbey, County Antrim.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said that shortly after 12:30 BST on Saturday, a suspicious object was reported to police after it was found at Rathmore Drive in the Rathcoole estate.

PSNI and army technical officers (ATO) attended and the device was later taken away for further forensic examination.

Ch Insp Tate said: "Rathmore Drive, which was closed during the public safety operation in the area, has re-opened. Police would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding."

Yellow and blue police vehicle at the scene of a security alert in Rathmore Drive in Rathcoole. There is a row of houses on either side.
Police and army technical officers attended the scene

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor Matthew Brady went to the scene of the alert.

"Credit to the police, they acted very promptly on it, and had bomb disposal out and acted with the local authorities and local community groups to ensure that facilities were open for residents to go to, if required," he said.