Pipe bomb explodes on city street

The pipe bomb exploded on Dawson Street in the New Lodge area.

Police have said a pipe bomb that exploded beside a car in north Belfast could have caused serious injury if it had gone off at a busier time.

The device exploded on the Antrim Road, close to the junction with Dawson Street, in the New Lodge area at about 0030 GMT on Thursday.

There was no one in the car at the time and there were no reports of injuries or damage.

Detective Inspector Alan Little said it was still unclear who the target was.

"Thankfully last night there was no damage or injuries caused, but obviously the explosion occurred on a main arterial route into the city with quite a number of houses," he said.

"Nobody was close to it this time, but if it had gone off at the wrong time, the potential for serious damage or injury was obviously there."

Police have also appealed for information about a car seen speeding away from the scene.