Two men arrested over hoax bomb calls targeting businesses

By Claudia Savage, Press Association

Two men have been arrested after a number of hoax bomb calls were reported to police.

The calls targeting businesses in Belfast and County Down were made between Saturday, January 31st and Monday, February 2nd.

A 46-year-old and a 32-year-old man were arrested in East Belfast on Wednesday, February 4th on suspicion of offences including communicating false information causing a bomb hoax, intimidation and drug-related crimes.

They have since been released on bail as police continue their investigation.

A PSNI spokesperson said “extensive searches” were carried out in the area before the calls were deemed to be hoaxes.

They said: “Our investigation is ongoing and we would appeal to anyone with information to contact us.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the Beechland Drive area of Lisburn between 1am and 5am on Saturday January 31 or the Hillhall Gardens area of Lisburn between 9pm and  11pm on Monday February 2.”