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Man charged after 'viable' objects found at house

BBC The remains of a police corden tape which had blocked off Bentham Drive in Belfast on Saturday. The red and white tape is lying near the kerb along a steel safety barrier. There are red brick houses in the distance and a wall with a metal fence runs alongside the other side of the road. BBC
Several homes were evacuated in Bentham Drive during the security alert

A man has been charged after a number of suspicious objects that prompted a security alert in south Belfast were declared viable.

Several homes were evacuated in Bentham Drive, off the Donegall Road, on Saturday afternoon while a house was searched.

The objects have been removed for further examination and the alert has ended.

The 46-year-old man has been charged with making explosives under suspicious circumstances, possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances, possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances, possessing ammunition in suspicious circumstance and possessing Class A, B and C controlled drugs.

He is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Det Insp Alexander said: "Residents who were evacuated from their homes have been allowed to return.

"We are grateful for their cooperation and patience while we made the area safe."