An area in central Belfast has reopened after police discovered replica firearms in a building where a gunman sighting was reported.
Armed police had searched the building after a member of the public reported that a man had pointed a suspected firearm from the window of a building.
Three replica firearms were recovered from a room in the building by police. They are trying to identify and apprehend anyone involved in the incident.
An area opposite the city’s St Anne’s Cathedral was sealed for over an hour as the PSNI’s rapid response unit descended on the scene.
Bystanders were warned to keep out of the line of sight of a housing association building at Writer’s Square and told to hide behind pillars or walls for their own safety.
An extensive cordon was put up at Donegall Street and a police helicopter hovered overhead throughout the alert. The cordon has since been lifted and residents of the Shac-owned property have been allowed to return to their homes.
Danuta Czyan, 57, said it was a frightening experience. “The police would not let us in the building, we were confused about what happened. I didn’t see anybody with a gun. Nobody knows what happened.”
Additional reporting PA