Mother and her children escape injury in pipe bomb attack on home but 'obviously very shaken by their ordeal'

A mother and her children escaped injury after a pipe-bomb was pushed through the letterbox of their home.

Detectives are investigating a pipe bomb attack at a house in north Belfast in the early hours of this morning (Friday, 16th October).

Police are at a security alert in north Belfast after an explosion at a house in the early hours of Friday morning. Residents in the Stanhope Street area are being evacuated and cordons are in place. Members of the public, including drivers, are asked to avoid the area.

placeholder image — Police are at a security alert in north Belfast after an explosion at a house in the early hours of Friday morning. Residents in the Stanhope Street area are being evacuated and cordons are in place. Members of the public, including drivers, are asked to avoid the area.

Detective Sergeant Stevenson said: “We received a report that a pipe bomb had been pushed through a letter box at the home in the Stanhope Street area at around 3am.

“It exploded fully, causing damage to the door and throughout the hallway".

He added that “a number of residents had to be evacuated from their homes for a time this morning, while Ammunition Technical Officers examined the remnants of the device”.

“We understand the disruption caused as this public safety operation was carried out, and thank the local community for their patience. All cordons have now been lifted and residents returned to their properties.”

Detective Sergeant Stevenson added: “Our community has rightly condemned this shocking incident.

"A mother and her children were inside the house at the time of the attack and we are thankful that they escaped injury, though they are obviously very shaken by their ordeal.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and we are keen to hear from anyone who noticed suspicious behaviour in the area around the time of the explosion.

“Please call us on 101, quoting reference number 141 16/10/26, if you have any information - including CCTV, dash-cam or other footage of the area that could help with our investigation.”

Alternatively, a report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org