Man arrested in connection with hoax alert

One man has been arrested in connection with a bomb alert in Newtownabbey this morning.

He is currently being held by detectives, where he is being questioned in relation to the incident.

Earlier today, Army Technical Officers examined a suspicious device which was left on a bus in the centre of Glengormley, however no controlled explosion was carried out and the package was later declared a hoax.

Police reported that two masked men boarded a bus in Glengormley travelling citybound at around 7am today, and left a suspicious package on board before instructing the driver to take the vehicle to the Orange arch in the centre of the village.

It is understood that the driver got the three passengers safely off the bus as instructed by the hijackers, and proceeded to contact the emergency services.

It is understood that CCTV footage taken on board the vehicle, has been handed over to police.

Traffic in the area has been diverted from the centre of Glengormley village and the Ballyclare Road has been closed off.

Translink have said Metro services in the area will be diverted along the O'Neill Road, Prince Charles Way and Manse Road to and from Glengormley.

Chief Inspector John McCaughan from Newtownabbey District Police condemned those responsible.

He said: "They had no regard for ordinary people trying to lead a normal life and caused unnecessary disruption to law abiding citizens."

He called for the three people who were travelling on the bus at the time of the hijacking to contact detectives and also appealed to anyone who may have any information in connection with the incident to contact police in Newtownabbey on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF/GB)