Vehicle checkpoints are to return to Belfast after a bomb partially exploded in the city centre. The number of police patrols will also increase after the device was left in a car at a shopping centre.

Dissident republicans have been blamed for the attack in the city centre on Sunday evening. The 60 kilogram bomb partially exploded in a car last night after the vehicle was earlier hijacked by men in boiler suits.

It comes a day after the PSNI Chief Constable said there will be more police on the streets in the run up to Christmas. Matt Baggott said the provision of additional resources is to reassure the public and retailers. However he is urging the public to be vigilant.

There was widespread condemnation of the incident, including from the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore who described it as attempted murder.

Belfast Lord Mayor Mairtín Ó Muilleoir says peace-building is still top of the agenda.