Rocket launcher and warhead found in Belfast

A rocket launcher and warhead were discovered by police investigating dissident republicans in West Belfast, a PSNI spokesman said last night.

Officers found the weapons during a search of a house in Hawthorn Street.

A police spokesman said: “These weapon systems are clearly intended to kill and we should be in no doubt that the recovery of these items has saved lives.”

The police spokesman said the search was conducted in relation to ongoing dissident republican activity. The items have been taken away for forensic examination.

Police have been on high alert for more attacks in the North for some time. PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott has warned he needs more officers to cope with the security threat and other unrest.

Officers in Britain yesterday expressed concern about helping police at the G8 summit to be held in Northern Ireland in the summer because of the danger.

Earlier this month, gardaí intercepted a suspected dissident republican haul of rocket launchers and explosives in Tipperary which were believed to be en route to the North.