BELFAST City Airport has reopened following an earlier security alert, however police are continuing to deal with a number of disturbances in the city.
Passengers were held inside the terminal building at George Best Airport during the alert, while others on arriving planes were kept on board amid reports of a suspicious device on the nearby Sydenham Bypass.
INFO: George Best Belfast City Airport reopened & fully operational.#Travel #NI #Belfast
— Belfast City Airport (@BELFASTCITY_AIR) July 11, 2018
The airport is now operating as normal, however officers are now dealing with another security alert in the Ravenhill Road area of South Belfast.
Security alert London Road off the Ravenhill Road pic.twitter.com/h5D4Y9K5x1
— Sharon O'Neill (@sharon_utv) July 11, 2018
It is the latest in a series of incidents today after the PSNI were warned the East Belfast UVF planned to “orchestrate and participate in serious disorder in East Belfast this evening”.
At around 7.30pm a bus was hijacked at gunpoint and set alight in the West Winds estate in Newtownards, a few miles east of Belfast.
@UniteunionNI Yet again our Bus workers are on the receiving end of thug violence #Newtownards tonight pic.twitter.com/Z3VGSbxUbx
— #EimearsSearch (@Seansmyth68) July 11, 2018
Police are also asking motorists to avoid the Messines Road in the town while they deal with a number of burning tyres that are blocking the road.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said today that police had been tipped off about possible disorder during the Eleventh night.
“Police have received Information from the community which indicates that the East Belfast UVF intend to orchestrate and participate in serious disorder in East Belfast this evening directed against my officers," he said.
“I would strongly urge people to desist from engaging in any violent or criminal behaviour. I would also appeal to those who have influence in this community to discourage people from taking part in any illegal activity.
“The safety of the public and my officers is of paramount importance and accordingly I will be reviewing my resourcing plans to ensure there is an appropriate and proportionate policing operation in place to deal with any disorder should it occur.”
Tensions are high in East Belfast following a court order yesterday to reduce a bonfire in Bloomfield Walkway, that was due to be lit tonight as part of the Eleventh night.
