Watch: ATO perform controlled explosion at the scene of Downpatrick security alert

Security alert brings County Down town to a standstill

Security forces evacuated residents from a number of homes in the area on Tuesday after a suspicious object was discovered near a church in the town.

Police said they received a report of a suspicious object at around 10:30am on Tuesday, August 9. The object was found near St Patrick's Church on the Irish Street area of the town.

The ATO were called to the scene and carried out a controlled explosion on the object.

Residents evacuated from their homes

A number of homes in the area were evacuated as a precaution while the ATO carried out their work.

The security alert has caused significant disruption in the town centre, with a number of roads closed.

The public are advised to avoid the area and to follow the advice of the police.

Investigation ongoing

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating the incident.

They have not yet said what the suspicious object was, but they have said that it is not believed to be a viable device.

The investigation is ongoing.