Police return to policing board bomb scene
30 Nov 2009
Detectives from the PSNI Serious Crime Branch have returned to the scene of a failed car bomb attack at the headquarters of the Northern Ireland Policing Board at Clarendon Dock, Belfast, County Antrim.
Around 7.10pm on Saturday November 21, a black Mazda car crashed through barriers at the complex and two men were seen running away. A short time later as the area was being evacuated, a device inside the car partially exploded.
Police believe that the device contained some around 200kgs (400lbs) of explosives.
The PSNI Serious Crime Branch revisited the scene on Saturday November 24 to talk to passers by who may have seen what happened the night of the attack.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Debbie McMaster, said her team of detectives are making a number of witness appeals:
“Had this bomb fully exploded it would have killed and injured passers by and many buildings in the area would have been extensively damaged. It was in the black Mazda 6 car. A red Nissan Primera car with the false registration number M83 EEC was discovered on fire in the New Lodge area of Belfast a short time after the incident at Clarendon Dock and it is believed at this stage to be linked.
“Police are appealing for anyone who saw these cars travelling close to each other in the greater Belfast area prior to the attack on Saturday November 21 to contact them. We would also like to speak to anyone who saw the Nissan Primera car being abandoned and set alight in the New Lodge area the same night,” said the Detective Chief Inspector.
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at the Incident Room number 02890 700303 or 0845 600 8000. Alternatively information can be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers Charity on 0800 555 111.
