Bomb left at office of Belfast community group

The British army blew up an explosive device in west Belfast early this morning.

Police said the "crude device" was left outside the offices of the Community for Restorative Justice (CRJ). The organisation mediates between victims of petty crime and the perpetrator.

A PSNI spokesman said: "Police were called out to Slemish Way in west Belfast shortly after 3 a.m. following a telephoned bomb warning. Upon arrival a suspicious object was discovered."

He added that a number of people living nearby were told to leave their homes and returned later in the morning.

Sinn Féin MLA for west Belfast Mr Michael Ferguson said locals were angry "CRJ provide a crucial mediation role within this community and this attack is being viewed as an attack on the wider community in this part of west Belfast," he said.

"I would call on those responsible for this attack to come to their senses and get off the backs of the community.

"This sort of attack will not prevent people organising community projects and coming together to work for the benefit of the entire west Belfast community," he said.