Residents were evacuated during the security operation in Poleglass in west Belfast

A security operation is continuing this morning after a new dissident group claimed it left a device at a busy roadside in west Belfast.

Police evacuated residents during the alert centred on the Bell Steele Road/Pantridge Road area of Poleglass.

A group calling itself Arm na Poblachta claimed it had left an improvised explosive device at a lamppost.

PSNI Inspector Paul Noble said this morning that police were trying to establish the location of the device and advised the public not to touch any object which looked suspicious.

Police confirmed the existence of the new dissident group last month, but it is the first time they are believed to have claimed responsibility for a device.

Local people said the police helicopter had been in the area since Saturday.

At lunchtime yesterday Inspector Noble said: “Police have been made aware that a suspect device has been abandoned in the Poleglass area.

"We are working to establish its location but in the meantime we would ask the public to be vigilant. If anyone comes across anything suspicious, they should contact police immediately on 101".

A spokesman later said a number of residents were being evacuated.

"If anyone has noticed any suspicious activity or has seen anything unusual please contact Police via 999. If you come across a suspicious object please do not touch it – phone the police immediately."

"We would ask for your patience whilst police work as quickly as possible to ensure everyone’s safety."

Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn last night condemned those responsible for the alert.

"They have no regard whatsoever for the local community," she said.

"There can be no justification for this type of activity and I would appeal to anyone with information to contact the police.”

A viable explosive device was previously found in the area in January this year.

Police said at the time that the bomb, discovered during an alert at Brians Well Road, was designed to kill or seriously injure officers.