A 35-year-old man has been charged with explosives offences after police discovered suspicious items during security operations across two properties in west Belfast. The searches took place on Friday and Saturday at locations on the Shankill Road and Edwina Street, with the suspect now due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Tuesday facing accusations of possessing explosives and a prohibited weapon.
According to BBC News, residents who were temporarily evacuated from their homes during the security operation have since been permitted to return. Detective Chief Inspector McCallum of the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that all police cordons in the area have been removed following the completion of the searches.
This incident follows an earlier arrest in west Belfast on 30 October 2026, when a 35-year-old man was detained under the Terrorism Act as part of an investigation into suspected terrorism offences. That operation also involved searches at properties on the Shankill Road. The current charges represent a continuation of law enforcement efforts to address security threats in the region, which have included a separate security alert in east Belfast in September 2026 that resulted in two arrests and the discovery of imitation firearms and explosive devices.
Investigation ongoing
Detective Chief Inspector McCallum appealed for members of the public who possess information relevant to the police investigation to come forward. Anyone with details that could assist officers is encouraged to contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland directly.
