Bomb Planted Under Police Officer's Car

Police have launched an investigation following the attempted murder of a police officer in east Belfast.

A serving officer detected a suspicious object under his vehicle when parked at Shandon Park on Saturday afternoon, 01 June.

ATO were called to the scene and the device was declared a viable explosive. Detective Superintendent Sean Wright, Head of the PSNI's Terrorism Investigation Unit, said the bomb was clearly intended to kill the officer.

He added: "In placing such a device, terrorists have also put the officer's family, neighbours and members of the public at serious risk.

"Attacks on police officers are attacks on the entire community and they are an attack on our democracy. Anyone who places an explosive device under a car in a built up area cares little about our communities. Their reckless violence cannot be allowed to continue. There are people within our communities who know who did this and there are people out there who knew this was being planned. There are also people out there who know those who are members of terrorist groups. My plea to all of those people is to tell us what they know and by doing so they will help to prevent this small minority dragging us back to the past."

Alliance Party Councillor Ross McMullan condemned the "shocking and disturbing" attempt to kill.

"In 2019 this kind of headline is unacceptable and must be consigned to history," he commented. "This act of terror on our community must be condemned unreservedly and my thoughts are with the officer in question and his wider circle.

"PSNI Officers work hard for us all and deserve our respect and support in targeting terrorist threats, not being victimised by those they seek to protect.

"This is an extremely worrying development and we are extremely lucky this did not turn more sinister. I would urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI immediately before those responsible are able to act again."

Police have issued an appeal to the public, urging anyone in the area of Green Road, Knockhill Park or the Upper Newtownards Road between 10pm on Friday 31 May and 7.30am on Saturday 01 June to come forward, particularly those with dash cam footage or CCTV covering the area.

Detective Superintendent Wright added: "The second part of my appeal relates to two motor vehicles, the first is a green coloured Skoda Octavia, VRM: 01D78089. The second vehicle we are interested in is a silver coloured SAAB 95, VRM: NFZ 3216. Did you see either of these vehicles in or around Green Road, Knockhill Park, Shandon Park or Upper Newtownards Road anytime between 10pm on Friday 31 May and 7.30am on Saturday 01 June. Both of these vehicles were subsequently abandoned and burnt out in Etna Drive in north Belfast during the early hours of Saturday morning and I would appeal to anyone who saw those vehicles being abandoned or being set on fire to get in contact with detectives."

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



(JG/CM)