Residents have been evacuated during a security alert in South Belfast. Police are in attendance in the Empire Street area of The Village where cordons are currently in place.
Local community group the Greater Village Regernation Trust have opened the Richview Centre for residents to wait while the area is made safe. Southcity Resource & Development Centre on Maldon Street is also open for residents to keep warm.
DUP Councillor Tracy Kelly said: "Residents are being evacuated from their homes in Empire Street / Milner Street - GVRT have opened the Richview Centre for those who need somewhere warm to wait whilst the PSNI make the area safe. Hopefully this will not take too long and residents will be safely back into their properties asap."
PSNI are in attendance "and have advised they will be putting safety of residents at the forefront."
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Police are at the scene of a security alert in Empire Street, south Belfast this morning, Wednesday 29th January. Cordons are in place and the public are advised to avoid the area at this time."
Posting on social media, the Greater Village Regernation Trust added: "We are aware that there is a suspected device at Empire Street and that local residents are having to leave their homes. We have opened up unit 5 in Richview Regeneration Centre to residents to come and have a warm space and have tea and coffee biscuits etc. Please let any residents / neighbours know!"
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11:53Jane Corscadden
Where is the security alert in place?
The security alert is currently in place on Empire Street in The Village area of South Belfast.
Residents in the Empire Street and Milner Street areas are being evacuated from their homes to the Olympia Leisure Centre and Richview Centre where tea and coffee is being provided.
11:47Jane Corscadden
Local community centres open for residents
Evacuated residents have been advised local community group the Greater Village Regernation Trust have opened the Richview Centre for residents to wait while the area is made safe. Southcity Resource & Development Centre on Maldon Street is also open for residents to keep warm.
Posting on social media, the Greater Village Regernation Trust added: "We are aware that there is a suspected device at Empire Street and that local residents are having to leave their homes. We have opened up unit 5 in Richview Regeneration Centre to residents to come and have a warm space and have tea and coffee biscuits etc. Please let any residents / neighbours know!"
11:42KEY EVENT
Traffic building up in the area
Traffic is currently building up on Donegall Avenue close to the junction with Donegall Road and on the Donegall Road in the vicinity of Empire Street.
11:41belfastlive Administrator
Homes being evacuated
DUP Councillor Tracy Kelly says that "as a precaution residents are being evacuated to Olympia Leisure Centre and Richview Centre where tea and coffee is being provided". PSNI are in attendance "and have advised they will be putting safety of residents at the forefront"
11:40KEY EVENT
PSNI statement
Police are at the scene of a security alert in Empire Street, south Belfast this morning, Wednesday 29th January. Cordons are in place and the public are advised to avoid the area at this time
11:40Jane Corscadden
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