North Belfast bomb 'was designed to kill police officers'

The alert began shortly after midnight on Saturday after the viable device was discovered on Herbert Street in the Ardoyne area.

Around 25 to 30 homes had to be evacuated as a result of the operation, with some of those described by police as having to move despite not being well.

It was also close to the local Holy Cross school.

The device has been removed for further examination.

Chief Superintendent Chris Noble said it was lucky they weren't dealing with a fatality.

"Our assessment is that this was a very clear attempt to try and murder police officers."

"The nature of the device meant it could have killed anyone who was in the immediate vicinity of it.

"Tomorrow morning, there will be kids walking past that very same spot on their way into school.

"I think it's a slap in the face of the local community in terms of the anti-community behaviour and the anti-community sentiment behind it, even if the core purpose was to kill police officers.

"A strong line of enquiry is violent dissident republicans."

"We have seen this lack of regard for their own community a number of times before."

Sinn Féin MLA for the area Gerry Kelly condemned those behind the explosive.

“This was a viable device left in a built up residential area which was designed to kill," he said.

"I condemn it outright.

“Those behind it have no regard whatsoever for this community and they need to end these futile acts.

“This was left at the gate of a school, yards from peoples homes on a busy walkway. Anyone could have been passed this bomb.

“Twenty homes also had to be evacuated overnight including family homes.

“I welcome the fact that this device was found before it killed or injured somebody and anyone with information should bring it to the PSNI.”